You rammed open the front door
As the cataracts of dawn cracked open
Appeared in an empty suit, shoe-shine efficiency,
Like a half -brained policeman armed with a mountain of invoices
And a slanty smile, catching the laugh of innocent buttercups –
A fake authority to evict us,
Pig herding us away from our family home
Flashing your weapons: a clipboard and a phone
Your half chipped tooth protrudes
Suppressing the notes of truth
Creepy bovver boots herald the automated voice of doom
Fuzz ball hair and cigarette butts stain three open buttons
On your lardy gut;
Your face like raw pork
Crusty blood boils on negligent stubble
Yellow beer stink -resting on cruel cold -clay lips
You mocked us – sat down uninvited
The sound of your pimpled laughter meaner than
Beelzebub; a little man with a jobsworth approach
Yapping orders like a sausage dog
Thick grey hands pressed on the desktop
Chunky jewellery on bossy knuckles
High pitched screams slip out of the cupboard
Five year old fingers clutching Paddington Bear
And Malibu sunset Barbie
A string of tears casting blue shadows –
Blackened pearls from a martyred mother
Vulture eyes swooping in on fairy dust
This rented life belongs to none of us .
Saira Viola
Illustration Nick Victor