post night tube by Tyler Austin

come in from rain.

hand shampoo bottle

into unlocked bathroom.

don’t ask.

You remember which side’s

the hot one.

reflect while You wash

on prior, soapier conversations. like whether

dandruff was contagious.

undertake a kitchen escape. let

You towel off into

my lockable, double empty, bedroom.

pour drinks to drown the thought

of observed

half-desperate hobbies.

get to witness a return in too large

purple jumper, who’s wearers often

end up under me.

nod through repressed thanks.

pass glass to crinkled fingertips

never unlearned how to hold something with both hands.

a condensed atmosphere, waterlogs the conversation.

I keep following the drop-   

   -lets beneath neckline

.i say: the rain always took it out of me.                         

    have things gotten any better?                   

        oh god, it’s weird how the universe works.

i say:  what are you thinking about?

You reach over and.

_____

Tyler is a poet and actor from East London, and in love with the digital and queer divide. With a big heart for Leytonstone, corporate silliness and video game culture, he’s running into the poetry scene face first, heart outstretched. A member of both The Roundhouse’s Poetry Collective, and National Youth Theatre’s 2024 Poetry Collective, you can find him at Totally_tyy on Instagram