HAPPY XMAS NAIL

there is a mark in the plastic floor
in the hospital
on
level
b

a simple imprint of a nail

i remember when the building was new
and
all the doors unlabelled
and
a
fine
layer
of
builders dust covered everything

it was the only blemish

a simple imprint of a nail

(until all the door handles came off
and 
dusty
had to replace them all
before
theyd
let 
him 
retire)

now the building is bashed and used
the
walls stained
with
screams
and
laughter

still i stop and look at the 
simple
imprint
of
a
nail
on the dotty lino of level b

happy xmas nail i mutter
tho
the
nail
is
long
gone