The Red Chair

Background: This little poem is a response to a true story narrated by a hotel general manager.

Background: This little poem is a response to a true story narrated by a hotel general manager. A hotel guest had jumped from the 18th floor, leaving a red chair with a backpack sitting on it, a letter apologising for the inconvenience, and RM 10 to cover extra days of heritage tax, acknowledging the room’s closure.

The CCTV footage revealed the man's considerate actions: ensuring a cleaner was not in harm's way and listening to something—possibly a recording or song—for four minutes before his jump. This tragic event, marked by the guest's profound thoughtfulness, left a lasting impression on the narrator, who wonders about the man's final moments and what brought him solace.

The Red Chair

The melody that unfurled as you sighed the final farewell -
Was it a song replayed thousands of times
Or the sweet voice of your beloved?

The red chair carried the weight of two:
The backpack, and you -
But your soul has faded from the world...

And it is now bereft of your kindness.

An unharmed lady, a RM 10 bill, a letter -
They are testaments to your considerate care
The last whispers of a storm-tossed mind.

May the melody have been your fitting companion
As your arms embraced the sky.

~Adelynne Ong, Mar 2025

Thank you for spending a bit of time reading my poetry. It means a lot to me. 🩷