Drunks in a library

some nights

we just lean

against each other,

fitted

like books on a shelf. we lie in bed,

closed off

but communicating, comfortable,

inspiring

thought

without words.

other nights

of course

we bang like bottles,

bought

and carried home

in plastic bags,

bruising

apples

and smelling

freshly

of fish

in torn wrappers.

we bang

against

one another,

break our seals

and rattle the banisters,

sloshing with stale

vodka,

clumsy

and easily smashed.

~~~

DS Maolalai recently returned to Ireland after four years away, now spending his days working maintenance dispatch for a bank and his nights looking out the window and wishing he had a view. His first collection, Love is Breaking Plates in the Garden, was published in 2016 by the Encircle Press. He has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.