A few of us shuffle listlessly
as we gaze at the tired hotel
The Aztec Hotel looks to have given up
(much like some of us)
as we make our way slowly through
its frayed and tattered doorway
The hazmat suits with their temperature
guns are efficient- but they don’t talk to us…not much
We’re used to being invisible anyway
with our chameleon skin on pavements and in store doorways
Until recently – when fear climbed on the back of rumour that we were ‘best friends’ with the virus
We cackled in anger when they cried, “Stay at home!“……. what home?
Now they want to keep us all together
in the bowels of a hotel that also wants to scream and tear its garments
We’re past social distancing
Hand washing is a fantasy
A shower? Like winning the lottery
But hey…. they’ve given us food
to assuage our hunger
and The Aztec Hotel for our bunker
What luxury
© Vivian Zems
For the Sunday Muse #108 and Poets and Storytellers
May 17, 2020 at 1:04 pm
Humans haven’t advanced over the centuries by doing what they were told. They would rather buck the trend or the advice and experiment by themselves. The Covid virus has a mind of its own and is a hard adversary.
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May 17, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Indeed, it is!
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May 17, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Moving piece, Vivian. I am struck by the contrast between the push to “open” and the harsh reality of the many for whom this virus is a dire threat.
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May 17, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Thanks V.J…I know, it’s a horrible reality
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May 17, 2020 at 11:47 pm
Welcome.
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May 17, 2020 at 2:11 pm
Love this!!!
Hotel name and description made me think of heart sacrifices associated with the Azteca, but that’s an obsession of mine, especially the priestesses who participated, if at all, since no info can be found.
On another note, when you write “invisible,” it made me think of this poem being from the virus’ point of view.
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May 17, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Thanks JR, I’m pleased you liked it… thanks for dropping by 🙂
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May 17, 2020 at 2:28 pm
Vivid. I’m reminded of an article in which some cities that offer hotel rooms to those with no other shelter. How we treat the least of these…
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May 17, 2020 at 9:34 pm
indeed…so sad
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May 17, 2020 at 5:09 pm
The homeless have the worst of it during this pandemic.
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May 17, 2020 at 9:34 pm
So true, so sad.
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May 17, 2020 at 5:14 pm
“We’re used to being invisible anyway with our chameleon skin on pavements and in store doorways,” .. you paint such a vivid and heart-wrenching image, Viv! 💝💝
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May 17, 2020 at 9:34 pm
Thanks Sanaa!
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May 17, 2020 at 5:58 pm
This is a wonderful, searing write and so well executed. “When fear climbed on the back of rumour” is such a powerful and fitting metaphor. There is a lot of this going around.
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May 17, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Thanks H!! By the way, I’ve downloaded your book– excellent writing 🙂
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May 17, 2020 at 6:50 pm
As always the poor suffer. Great important words.
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May 17, 2020 at 9:33 pm
Thanks Anthony 🙂
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May 17, 2020 at 8:39 pm
I love the phrase “fear crawled on the back of rumour”. Heaven knows social media spreads enough rumors for fear to find a happy home!
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May 17, 2020 at 9:33 pm
Indeed! Thanks Beverly
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May 17, 2020 at 9:17 pm
Yes, how true, the unseen –. “our chameleon skin on pavements and in store doorways”. And “Stay at home!“……. what home? — excellent.
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May 17, 2020 at 9:32 pm
Thank you!
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May 17, 2020 at 10:33 pm
“Stay at home, what home” this struck me as being contradictory towards the homeless. And also the menacing motif of invisibility that is the virus
Happy you dropped by my sumie Sunday today
Much💚love
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May 20, 2020 at 8:37 am
Thanks Gillena,always good to see you here 🙂
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May 17, 2020 at 10:34 pm
The homeless have no place to shelter in, no place of safety. They remain victims of a terrible social situation. Here they took an old motel and moved many of the homeless in it so they have a place to call home. What happens next, I haven’t a clue? I hope someone has a plan.
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May 18, 2020 at 10:10 am
I hope this means that they’re going to give the homeless more attention in the future.
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May 17, 2020 at 10:53 pm
You have used the Aztec3 well, very well.
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May 18, 2020 at 10:07 am
Thanks Helen
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May 17, 2020 at 10:55 pm
In New York City, they have been discussing the idea of using hotels to quarantine some of the infected population. After reading this piece, I wonder just how that would actually work. Still, at the moment, they are moving the homeless to “warming buses”, in order to sterilize public areas like train stations. Every time I see the phrase “warming buses” I want to scream.
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May 18, 2020 at 10:01 am
I haven’t heard that phrase but it doesn’t sound positive 🧐. It’s altogether a sad situation for them.
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May 17, 2020 at 11:45 pm
A fun story, Vivian. Being there now sounds worse tha being on a cruise ship.
..
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May 18, 2020 at 12:08 am
The poor suffer so much as it is. This type of treatment feels like salting the wound, because we all know they aren’t being put in a building together so much for their safety as than because someone complained about them.
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May 18, 2020 at 9:59 am
Absolutely!
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May 18, 2020 at 12:51 am
I love the comparison of the building and humanity giving up and finding refuge. This is a powerful and beautiful write Vivian! It is wonderful to have you join us at the Muse this week!
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May 18, 2020 at 9:59 am
Hi Carrie- thank you, the honour’s all mine 🙂
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May 18, 2020 at 2:00 am
What horrible choices we have now–this one struck a nerve for me I think–it is a wonderful write–but such a stark reality
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May 18, 2020 at 9:58 am
That’s where the pain is….. in reality 😔
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May 18, 2020 at 2:47 am
I want to say this is slightly different in its details from the one you posted on FB? I don;t have that in front of me, so maybe not, but in any event, I like it, and always love to see you at Sunday Muse!
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May 18, 2020 at 9:57 am
Some punctuation corrections….. but thank you. In hindsight, should have swapped hotel for theater lol!
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May 18, 2020 at 5:47 pm
No worries. I never meant that people had to write about the actual theater, if the image spoke to them in another way!
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May 19, 2020 at 5:01 am
😊👍🏽
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May 18, 2020 at 4:19 am
This hits close to home as, in cities near me, they are buying hotels to house the homeless in. Progress.
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May 18, 2020 at 9:55 am
Indeed
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May 18, 2020 at 6:51 am
Powerful writing. Reads like a dystopian fantasy — but we know it’s all too true.
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May 18, 2020 at 9:56 am
Sadly so 😢
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May 18, 2020 at 10:13 am
The reality of this pandemic, bad now, is waiting to unfold in more disastrous ways.
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May 19, 2020 at 5:02 am
Indeed, it is
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May 18, 2020 at 10:33 pm
We fill rooms with what we don’t want to see and call it caring…My thoughts often go to the homeless.
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May 19, 2020 at 5:01 am
It’s truly sad
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May 19, 2020 at 4:47 pm
i could understand the last lines, i thnk. especially for those who are homeless. it’s sad most of all. great write, it is another window into the people that are suffering with covid-19 the most.
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May 19, 2020 at 11:30 pm
Absolutely! Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
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May 19, 2020 at 4:47 pm
“Fear climbed on the back of rumor” — this is a great line. Sometimes people want to look for a scapegoat so that they feel safer. People who are homeless are seen as less than human by so many. 😢
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May 19, 2020 at 11:29 pm
I know, so sad 😦
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May 19, 2020 at 9:11 pm
When I was working delivering food in downtown Denver, I would drive past the homeless shelter many times during my shift. One night I saw a group of people in wheelchairs huddled together to keep warm. I saw an elderly man with a walker sitting up against the wall. This country can spend money showing off its military might, having the Blue Angels fly overhead to inspire the citizens or such. That money would be better spent housing its citizens.
~Cie from Poetry of the Netherworld~
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May 19, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Well said, Cara. Priorities!
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May 21, 2020 at 8:57 pm
What an amazing take on this photo. You brought the plight of the homeless to the forefront where they never are.
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May 21, 2020 at 10:08 pm
Thanks Sara🙏🏽 I just wish we could do more
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