No charge for the air you breathe.
Sunlight through the window comes with the pane.
The softness of the mattress is free, the mattress is not.
The tile in the bathroom is built into the overall price,
so are the faucets at the sink and the running water.
The tv remote is absorbed into the price of the tv
and will work from six to ten feet away,
but not always. We charge extra for always.
The cool in the refrigerator comes with the device
as does the electricity that makes it cool.
The same for the electricity that makes the microwave hot.
The Gideon Bible is a gift you are greatly encouraged to read,
Luke chapter 2 late in the year and Matthew 28 in the spring.
The first two chapters of Genesis are good in any season,
especially if you are traveling with someone of the opposite sex.
You will find two versions of the story of God’s invention of gender.
Read both to be fair and balanced. Simultaneity versus sequentially.
You will not find the wakeup call on your bill
nor the love the immigrant maid has for her family,
or the care she takes to erase your finger prints from the countertops
in case you are escaping the law, as she may be.
In that case, neither one of you was there.
Also, not there, the lodgers from the previous night.
You have rented impermanent privacy, temporary as all-get-out,
which is what the night-before-people have done. They’ve gotten out.
Some say that’s what your soul does when your body has quit,
as if your soul occupies your body like a guest a cheap hotel?
Notice there are no auras left behind in the room,
no unruly guests who have refused to entirely leave.
At best you might find a half-moon toenail on the floor by the bed.
But don’t be deceived by the former occupant’s obligatory absence.
Even though it’s your room now, history often leaves a stain.
The charge for the hall light creeping under your door in the dark
is under review far away in the company’s plush corporate offices.
Upper manage says it’s a safety feature, there must be a fee.
Lower management, who actually stay in motels like this, say no.
Breakfast comes with, not to, the room in the morning.
You have to go down to the lobby for a cup of coffee,
a safety wrapped plastic spoon to stir in the cream,
eat the flaked oats, or slurp down a fruited yogurt
when you prefer low fat Greek and plain.
Comfort and annoyance are equally
apportioned among the hotel guests.
Be sure to look out your window at least once
even though you are just passing through.
If you are lucky, the view will be priceless.