One-by-One.

One-by-one lonely men look for comfort and closeness in a deserted, late night Soho. Based on a real place.

One-by-one they arrive, in the dead of night,

Searching for the "models" sign and the bright red light.

One-by-one they look left and then right,

Hoping the shadows keep them out of sight.

One-by-one they search, for the clothes shop with the "One by One" sign near Soho Square,

Because the secluded staircase can be found there,

And there's a false and short lived sense of love and care,

At the top of the secluded staircase next to the "One by One" clothes shop near Soho Square.

One-by-one they go up there,

Up the secluded staircase next to the clothes shop near Soho Square,

One-by-one they search for comfort and closeness beyond that top stair,

But she doesn't care, although she'll fake it as long as the money's there.

One-by-one they climax, 

In that bright red room hidden from reality,

She's everyone's temporary lover,

But at least there's money and a decent turnover.

One-by-one they retreat back down the stairs,

Through their front door to be greeted but no one's there,

Because she's at the top of the secluded staircase next to the clothes shop near Soho Square,

Dealing with the lonely one-by-one's who have been cast aside by a world that just isn't fair.

Author's Note

Don't usually do poetry so structure is probably a bit all over the place.

Reviews

[Relic]

I didn't pay attention to the structure once I started reading. This has a grittiness to it that can't get away from realism. You speak of a part of society that looks for relief and pleasure, but I'm sure they're looking for something else they can't get. It's sad but it's the way it is all over.

The picture of the wall with graffiti really fits the story-line well. It makes for a great metaphor to the personalities within.

[ANB]

Thanks for your review! I'm glad you saw the realism and grittiness in it, I want my writing to come across as "no holding back" honesty. The image looks exactly like the stairwell this poem is inspired by which is just round the corner from where I work next to a clothes shop called "One By One". Thanks again for reading and reviewing, I'll be sure to return the favour soon