Alone Poem by Raphael Sackey

All things never done, done or undone disturbs the neighbour.
I sneeze, John frowns!
I cry, Jane pities!
I cough, Doe sneers!
My music, Tom's noise.
My car, Dick's envy.
My leisure...

Even my leisure is laziness to Harry!
I amble by, Jill and Jack descry an eavesdropper!
I love my own wife, the kids jeer through my window.
I fart, Raphael cries blue murder!

Only alone, can I truly be.
Only alone will I know my true self.
For when the neighbour is absent, when there is no one to be disturbed,
Then my attitude can change; my deeds allowed uncensoring.

Yet loneliness is such a rare treasure in our days.
Days of civilized man.
Man the plagueless breeder.

How then am I to know myself?
How then am I to test my character when no one is watching.
When my mental voice roars John Wooden's words.

Perhaps I can watch and learn from the Greenback Boogie
And live my life in the most private studio of man.