Staying In (Poetry)

I have a painted window now —
the glass a glossy black
to keep the inside in
and the outside out
because I don’t want them mixing any more.

The outside view I used to have —
tall trees and sky — the natural look
I always found so peaceful
since redeveloped — built upon —
those gaudy bricks don’t go with my decor.

And so my window’s black — reflecting back
my careful choice of chair and book —
a darkened mirror of my life
this other room where I can’t hang
more pictures on the wall

for lack of space — I’ve filled it full —
images spill back and forth
while the thin glass divide
keeps the neighbours far enough away
I can forget that ugliness outside.