Block

 I live in a block.

A mammoth concrete block.

A gigantic mass of concrete, girders,

Mortar and hate.

 

I can hear the neighbours above.

I can hear the neighbours below.

I can feel the nutter next door, slamming

His wife’s head against the wall.

 

TV, bass, TV, bass...

TV, bass, TV, bass...

A loud hi-fi, a screaming child,

A thud and a kick, domestic bliss.

 

My block, my block,

My habitat and surround

If I don’t wanna get a kicking, 

Best be in before the sun goes down,

 

A totem pole of ignorance

A skyscraper of shame

A symbol of spite and violence

That I will one day leave….

 

But for now, the piss stained lifts

Will have to elevate me to my dreams,

Ah my dreams, my priceless dreams,

Take me far away from here, precarious dreams.

 

This block of doom

This erection of pain,

Whose residents rely on

The police car trawling

 

And iron bars across their front doors,

And bolted down window frames,

And the fourteen million to one shot

That they’ll scoop the lotto jackpot

 

You hear the old bags gossip on landings

Their faces stained by the years,

An entire life on the never never...

A thousand monthly repayments still to pay.

My block, my block

My culture and downfall

Where love is a show of weakness

When you’re greeted by menacing frowns,

 

And past the street corner,

Just left of the laundrette,

Track suited youngsters

Talk about new trainers.

 

The block’s stagnant couple’s

Who were once young lovers

Now rush through lovemaking

And by pass the foreplay,

 

So that all that remains

Of their once sensual romance

Is a night in front of the telly,

Empty f*g packets and take aways.

 

My block, my block

Brash and obscene

That hovers huge on the city horizon

Raping the space that we need.

 

My block, my block

Cold, harsh and brown

Languid and non descriptive

Hear me screaming to get out

 

Please send on your condolences…

Please send on your regards…

For me and the residents…

For me and my plans…..