Arrival

I can’t remember arriving

At Coventry station

Or how I found my way to the pub

I found a place to stay

From a card in the newsagent’s window

Left my suitcase and guitar

In the large, shabby room

Full of cold space

I can’t remember what was in the suitcase

Or what I wore

Headed for the college

I do remember thinking

That the art students

Would have claimed a pub for their own

And would now be in out

Renewing acquaintances

Swapping stories of summer conquests

And finding the pub

I do remember

Talking to the new second years

Exotic, long-haired

Bright colourfully-clothed

About the college

What I could expect

Drugs

The noise. The music was loud

All Along the Watchtower by Jimmy Hendrix

Was that then or later

It featured heavily that year I’m sure

But some things seem so vague now

I don’t remember how the evening ended

I don’t remember returning to my room

Or how I slept

Or if I dreamt

I know I only slept there once

In the morning I lifted the mattress

And watched the bedbugs

Scurrying from the light