In the neighbourhood
just before year’s end
a new family
young children
noise, enthusiasm and energy.
For Christmas
pleaded from Santa perhaps
a trampoline
they bounce in and out of our lives
the fence an intermittent conversation barrier.
Blue sky equity
from sunwake to dusk
a trio of shareholders
pass greetings, comments and gossip
as they bounce through summer holidays.
One day a broken fence paling
a neighbour enquires to the oscillating children.
They know nothing
and saw less.
The man in that house thought it was you
she tells one.
The seven-year-old springs cautiously
while pondering the identification.
“He might have been lying ”
is offered between ascents
the neighbour, a teacher of 30 years and mother of four
admiring the effrontery
and about to faint with laughter
drops the charges and awards cost to herself.
Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry 