SEMI-DETACHED

After his neighbour left
the house next door
stood derelict
was wrecked by storms
and damp that crept
through walls.
He walked next door
to check the damage
saw kestrel chicks
on an upstairs ledge -
floorboards had fallen
gutters dripped.
Distant hills darkened
as the curlews cried
seemed lonely.
Back in his half of the house
the blaring television
blanked the snaps and screams
of foxes fighting
in ruined rooms.

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