Zipping Up The Holiday Poem by Paul McCann

In need of time out and a holiday beside the sea
Like a slave I’d been working every hour asked of me.
Seven days a week and it was six months without a break.
All over my body I had just this one entire ache .
So I knew it was time to rest and asked for a week off
I fronted my boss and in the end her hard heart turned soft.
I booked a place down by the bay and took to the freeway .
With no one demanding my time I was on holiday .
There was still some sunlight left when I arrived at the place.
I walked down to the shoreline and took in the open space.
Under the light of the moon I walked past an old boat shed.
Then I made my way back home and fell down on the bed.
I was disturbed from my sleep by a rumbling, thumping,
So I went to investigate and then I saw something.
The neighbour arrived home at midnight with his four wheel drive.
He must have wanted the whole street to know he was alive.
Wirth a huge dog on a chain he marched around the front yard,
like some perplexed over taxed well paid security guard.
As well as a dog he had a boat and a big bright light .
An insomniac and I a prisoner of the night.
He checked every gate and door and fed his dog a snack.
I got up and turned the lights on and walked around the back .
All I ask is an end to this intrusion from next door.
When he went inside his home I couldn’t sleep anymore .
Too tired to argue, too upset to speak, I was a mess.
How much does sleep cost when you can’t find any place to rest.
I sat up and knew that it was almost time for the dawn.
The morning had come and I had been awake all night long.
My holiday was over and I left that neighbourhood .
There’s no rest for the wicked and even less for the good.
Those who break the rules never see they’re wrong.
They’re always right.
So goodbye from me
I’m leaving where I can sleep tonight.


By Paul McCann