The Veritas Hotel

There once was Johnny, Jim or Joe.
Shimmy shifting friend or foe.
Took his place and played the ace.
Left the game without a name.

Undulating as an eel,
His face had some piquant appeal.
What he knew and yet concealed,
Could not decide which him was real.

In the news, this singer’s blues
Shifted shade and sang a ruse.
But also ran still had a plan
To get rich quick, turn twice the man.

These thoughts check in and don’t check out.
They dream and scheme and gad about.
They fill your head and pounce around.
An empty bell with thumping sound.

Searching for the next in line,
Vacancy without a sign.
Who will wander past the ace,
The devil or a friendly face.

The ribbon wraps around the bend.
The loser’s plan to make amends.
The tangled dreams of dying friends
With handshake grip, tie up loose ends.


3/5//20
S1E13