Cigarettes and Stale Beer
(Camden Market)

Joseph Mallord William Turner, The Garreteer's Petition, 1809

in my most comforting presence.

A Sunday roast,

beer I hadn’t asked for,

Plans I didn’t make.

within vague familiarity,

I feel at ease.

It shouldn’t console me.

Shouldn’t be a place of solace.

Shouldn’t kindle nostalgia.

It should be perturbing.

Should be a thing of fear.

Should incite reminiscence.

But it makes me want to stay—

makes me comfortable

with the discomfort.

​​

— A.M. Sención

02.2025

This writing is my original work. Do not reproduce without permission.