Of course there are no clocks, or windows,

that might allow guests to track time.

And these days only people over forty

wear a watch, and we’re less concerned

about them. Mobile devices?

We block network signals so that guests

can go unbothered by distractions.

The décor is always neutral;

if anyone asks, which they don’t,

we tell them the colour is August Wheat,

but you and I can see it’s beige.

A pastel shade here or there,

a couple of abstract pictures,

nothing too involving, nothing too fussy.

New arrivals are the most tricky to placate,

a lot of pacing often occurs,

they fret about why they are here,

and for how long; adjustment can take time,

but every guest comes round at some point:

notice how their bodies mould themselves

to the shape of the furniture.

Now, let’s leave this Department

to look at another Ministry;

Suffering is near-by, or perhaps

you’re interested in Broken Promises?

Truth be told it could be some time

before anyone is called from Waiting.