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