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