Neighbourhood watching

A thief of dreams, phoning
in the night he wakes me
two or three times, rings off

You should read the letters –
swollen with accusations and lies
Don't know what he's spinning
that lawyer Mine says ignore it,
keep steady in the swirling tide
I wish I'd wading boots

We're slip-streaming the rapids
getting used to the peace, the calm
– no rages, shouting, doors slamming
My neighbours must be pleased
Their walls no longer tremble
with his anger, our fear

He's a shark trying to swim
in our goldfish bowl but we've
cast off, come up for air