he wakes
when the sun gets in his face
like an animal
looking for attention.
8am
and the day is baking.
on the floor
bottles settle like boats in port
and in the air
flies tumble drunk
on leftover winespill.
outside
someone is singing
and playing guitar
in spanish
for people going to work
and even through the window
the clink of pennies
makes him wince.
in his kitchen
bugs skitter
and rest
like a tore open teabag.
the girl makes a noise in her sleep
and rolls
so her leg comes off his
and takes some heat away.
he gets a glass of water
and sits in bed,
satisfied
and watching the sunlight
creep on the pillow,
waiting for it
to hit her in the eyes.
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.