at the drop-and-go

we hug and i act cool
as the american fridge ice
shattering on kitchen tiles

lift my case from the boot
practice my cold show face
drain emotion like wine from

the christmas market we bought crepes at
dropped a claw over a stuffed Pikachu
where you promised this would be our year

trace the rim of my glass at the airport bar
small wet moons form on the table
spidery foam dries on lip

departure board blinks i drop my empty
wave back at no-one like it’s winter jacket time
and cosy corner pubs helping me pack real slow

 

 

Ryan O’Neill is an Irish poet and writer from Cork, Ireland and based in Cardiff, Wales. His work has featured in Ink, Sweat & Tears and These Pages Sing and you can find him on both Instagram (roneill9414) and X (@Roneill1994).