11pm. the sky strains
yellow on blue
as lamplight catches
at low cloud
and pulls it,
like tea
on shallow bruising
all over, like the world is only just
a space outside your chin. in howth junction
carriage shunts
and changes stations – trains tear
the night’s carrion
to pieces
and sound
breaks windows
and topples
toilet seats. your hands
in your pockets
sweat against the coming cold
and breath jumps at your face
like a puppy
bounding at the door
and very excited
to see you.

***

DS Maolalai has been nominated for Best of the Web and twice for the Pushcart Prize. His poetry has been released in two collections, “Love is Breaking Plates in the Garden” (Encircle Press, 2016) and “Sad Havoc Among the Birds” (Turas Press, 2019)