Naively I previously didn’t realise toilet roll could say I love you
Of course you can write it in a literal sense
If that’s your chosen medium for such a message or for a message to be inferred
But I was yet to experience such an expression myself
I have wanted to contribute to this collection since I first learned about it
But hadn’t found anything worthy of a submission
Until I checked into an Airbnb in Oxford.
The cleaners had left a toilet roll display that had such care and attention poured into it
Folds and flowers
Such a clear display of love and thought.
No toilet roll in the property was safe from declaring its undying love for me
Except maybe the sacrificial roll in the cupboard
Sat in the corner of the cupboard in the dark on its own
Used to adorn the new rolls on display for guests
Its sheets being regularly ripped off, it had clearly been getting smaller and smaller, stripped back almost to its core
But then again, perhaps that roll said I love you most of all
Because it sacrificed itself for the others supporting them to shine
Selfishly giving itself up to make others more beautiful and to further my enjoyment of the bathrooms
Is that true love?
Regardless, the shower at the Airbnb was awful though so I don’t think they loved me that much
