Daybreak in Dublin

It’s a hotel I’d almost recommend
If only you’d remember to not drink the water,
Keep your nose from the dust off dry-cleaned towels,
Leave on your socks at night,
Plug your ears and draw the curtains
Against the encroachment of light.

At daytime the location affords views onto the back of
The Custom House but next to no peace
In the small hours
When the ticker goes quicker than you imagined,
Or hoped it would in this place.

But that pale Irish sun is quite enough for solace
When at breakfast you listen to him speak
Of things you did not think until then you saw clearly,
When you agree that despite their many faults
You love them
No end.