Just a man., by DS Maolalai

Just a man.

eating beef cheek, braised 
for my birthday – so tender
you could spread it
on toast. looking up
at chrysty and occasionally
telling her "I love you".
my mouth full. and roast
potatoes. red wine,
thick as beef
gravy. I'm turning 30
tomorrow – no more
of my poems 
will be by "a 
young man". just
a man now:
can't excuse
my sloppiness, 
though perhaps I can 
meander more, 
repeat myself. I look
across the table, say
"I love you". light
comes through the window
with the warmth
of bedside lamps.

​

DS Maolalai has been nominated eight times for Best of the Net and five times 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)