She lived in a house of thorns
in the middle of paradise
blue tits on the bird feeder
organic tomatoes peas and beans
growing from the ground
no neighbours to disturb
Her truth went underground
and could not find a single syllable
he judged her every movement
her every word and used it
to his own advantage
no neighbours to disturb
She sought refuge
in a women’s safe house
she was granted her own room
for the first time in three years
and her body became her own
no neighbours to disturb
But the custodian of the place
threatened to strip her bare
desiccated her dreams
told her she was only worth
the scum of the benefits’ line
no neighbours to disturb
That drizzle held morning
where crows looked blacker
the river rushing muddy
through her palms and underfoot
she slipped in
no neighbours to disturb
