Track 1 of Clutching At Straws ---

Hotel hobbies padding dawns hollow corridors

Bell boys checking out the hookers in the bar

Slug-like fingers trace the star-spangled clouds of ******* on the mirror

The short straw takes its bow



The tell tale sign of the last cigarette marking time in the pockets as the

whisky sweat

lies like discarded armour on an unmade bed

As familiar cravings are crawling through his head



And the only sign of life is the ticking of the pen

Introducing characters to memories like old friends

Frantic as a cardiograph scratching out the lines

In a fever of confession a catalogue of crime in happy hour

Do you cry in happy hour, do you hide in happy hour, a pilgrimage to happy

hour



New shadows tugging at the corner of his eye

Jostling for attention as the sunlight flares

Through a curtains tear, shuffling its beams

As if in nervous anticipaion of another day



(Champney's Health Farm, Tring) [FISH and DEREK WILLIAM DICK