DAVID I. HUGHES

Lighting Disclaimer

Patrons are advised
that lighting in this establishment
is intentionally flattering.

Features may appear
softer,
eyes brighter,
futures more plausible.

Under these conditions
customers frequently report
sudden certainty,
immediate chemistry,
and thoughts of long-term happiness.

On certain evenings
two strangers may find themselves
walking home together,
unlocking unfamiliar doors,
and mistaking good lighting
for love.

This may lead to—
An intimate encounter.

Please note:

Results may alter
significantly
in morning light.

Hope may be replaced
by doubt.
Desire
by nausea.

Management accepts no responsibility
for revelations occurring
in bathrooms,
mirrors,
or daylight.

If disappointment arises,
it should be assumed
that both parties
were equally
well lit.

David I. Hughes is a UK poet and writer based in West Cornwall. His work explores attention, place, and the systems that shape contemporary life, often moving between lyric, narrative, and conceptual forms. His work has appeared or forthcoming in journals including Ink, Sweat & Tears, Shadowplay, Altar, The Lake, and have been recognised in international competitions, including the Poetry Kit Prize and the Lit Fox Poetry Book Award, where his manuscript Burden of Attention was a semi-finalist. He is the author of the literary novel The Listener (2025).