Neil Elder

Of course there are no clocks, or windows, 
that might allow guests to track time.
And these days only people over forty
wear a watch, and we’re less concerned
about them. Mobile devices?
We block network signals so that guests
can go unbothered by distractions.
The décor is always neutral;
if anyone asks, which they don’t,
we tell them the colour is August Wheat,
but you and I can see it’s beige. 
A pastel shade here or there,
a couple of abstract pictures, 
nothing too involving, nothing too fussy.
New arrivals are the most tricky to placate,
a lot of pacing often occurs, 
they fret about why they are here,
and for how long; adjustment can take time,
but every guest comes round at some point:
notice how their bodies mould themselves
to the shape of the furniture.
Now, let’s leave this Department
to look at another Ministry;
Suffering is near-by, or perhaps
you’re interested in Broken Promises? 
Truth be told it could be some time 
before anyone is called from Waiting.