No one on this 12:21 train knows
I was in the shower 11 minutes ago.
The chap to my left has his top button undone,
tie pulled down a few inches,
like his morning meeting was a boxing match.
The woman opposite me has eight shopping bags.
I can see a broccoli nestled between eggs
and a roll of Father Christmas wrapping paper.
The man to my right is typing the word ‘stress’
with his fingers on a phone that looks exhausted.
I can still feel the mint body scrub in my bum
and taste the beer I might have in a bit.

Carl Burkitt 2025