I am a prisoner - in my own home!

 

The sun is shining

But I can't enjoy it

The wind is blowing

But I can't enjoy it

 

 

My neighbour can though

With their loud music

Fights and screams

Lighting fires and throwing bricks

Smashing belongings with a baseball bat

They can enjoy it

 

Dark comes

The noise and ferocity increases

I come inside

Midnight comes and goes

The terror intensifies

One-thirty arrives

I am still awake

and frightened for my life

The neighbours are enjoying it though

 

Morning arrives

I venture outside

Cat-like I pick up

their discarded remains from my lawn

Empty rum bottles and cans

Cardboard food containers

Burnt pieces of paper

and

Syringes

It all goes in my rubbish bin

The neighbours enjoyed it

 

I look up to the blue sky

Marvel at its colours

A noise from next door though

sends me scurrying

back inside my house

The neighbours are rising

 

I run inside my house

Check the doors and windows

are locked

And cower

through another day

There is no end to this terror

 

I long for peace and quiet

To open my windows

and allow in the breeze

To feel the sun on my skin

and breathe in the fresh air

The neighbours can

 

I suppose I should be thankful

that I am alive

I should be grateful

for my life

But how I wish I could

venture outside

or at the very least

have peace

 

My neighbours can

But I can't