Blocked (Poetry)

I’ve no clue who my neighbours are
above or either side
the ones across the hall have gone
the ground floor tenant died
so half the block is empty and
there’s no one here I know
they’re always moving in and out
I watch them come and go.

I see their furniture and stuff
I hear them on the stairs
the row they make’s appalling but
there’s no one else who cares
they play loud music half the night
their kids squeal half the day
I hardly take my earplugs out
I don’t know why I stay.

I hear their voices through the wall
the way they shout and curse
the arguments go on and on
and then the screams get worse ...
I’ve called the police and made complaints
in writing by the score —
filled in the social landlord’s forms
and then completed more.

It’s done no good — a waste of time
things don’t improve at all
I might as well go bang my head
on that dividing wall.
Far smarter to shut out their din
be neither foe nor friend
but hang on in and wait it out
they all move in the end.