taverns beyond the gates

Outside the gates
a group of taverns
for those who prefer
to carouse without
in places
assuredly dirty
and
full of stale wine
poor cooking

owners
smoothly smirk
and call to
passersby

"come one, come all
painted chambers
soft beds of feather
piled high on fine straw
pillows of violets
rose water
convenient
for you and a lover"

takers will find
dirty public
stinking rooms
of patrons
drinking and dicing
round bare oaken tables

narrow sleeping chambers
beds wedged
one by one
tightly

share you bed
with a fellow traveler
a rat and a roach
but not a
lover

beware of thieves.