"Morning"

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.