Escaped Steam

Being alone in hell is easy
You never take a blanket, just sit and stare
as the clouds borrow motion from the sea
the stars pour out light from every century

Being alone in a hotel room
An unpleasant place disinfected odour
and impossible facilities
to put you in your place

the punishing wind cleaves the collar
stretches out the rib cage
and age you like a sack
statements sniggering like a tangerine
clear the air with doubt
as you soar into depths
and frown at the smiling priest

Little you learn on the way down
as the lottery of demons handle the decent
the risk people take travelling
through time and space

is anybody going to listen
to the carping of the steam
as it rises from the broken ground
and extends its flames