The Hotel Game 1967 Poem by Terry Collett

The hotel
landlady
met Nima
and Benny
at the desk.

Newly-weds?
She asked them.

We're the Coles
I book it,
Benny said,
on the phone.

The woman
ran a thin
finger down
the book page:
here it is,
she muttered,
when did you
get married?

Yesterday.
Nima said.

A Friday?
The woman
said surprised.

Small affair,
just us two
and two friends
to witness,
Nima said.

Not pregnant
already
are you dear?

No not yet,
Nima said.

O that's good,
anyway
I'll show you
to your room.

Benny took
the 1 bag
to the room
following
the woman
and Nima.

Here it is,
she told them,
and unlocked
the white door;
she showed them
about then
she went off.

Not too bad:
got a bed,
a tall boy,
chest of drawers,
a TV,
Nima said.

Benny felt
the large bed
with his hand
then sat down
and bounced it:
bed's not bad.

Shall we now?
Nima said
try it out?

If you like,
Benny said

so began
to undress
(after they'd
drawn the dull
brown curtains) .

Nima was
down to her
underwear,
when a knock
hit the door.

Who is it?
Benny asked
stark naked.

I've brought you
some towels,
forgot them,
the woman
informed them.

He opened
the white door,
put out his
head and hand,
his body
hidden there.

O thank you,
Benny said,
taking two
white towels
carefully
from the old
girl's hands:
just changing
our clothing,
he muttered
looking at
the woman.

She half smiled
and walked off.

He closed the
door slowly
put the two
white towels
on the side,
then looked at
Nima there
in her pink
underwear.

Do we dare?
She uttered.

He nodded.

She undressed
completely.

They both got
into bed
and lay back
listening
for a knock,
but none came,
so they hugged
and got on
with the game.