When first the man next door arrived,

We shook our heads, we rolled our eyes,

With shaven head, tattoos and scars,

The man next door.

 

As time went by, opinion altered,

Gradually got to know this rugged man,

Always a smile and a shout hello,

The man next door.

 

If sun did shine, no matter season,

Upon the grass he’d float in beams of light,

His love of catching rays was famed,

The man next door.

 

When snow appeared upon the ground,

When elderly and infirm were trapped within,

With shovel and grin he would appear and help,

The man next door.

 

Blocked drains or weeds within a garden,

Broken car in desperate need of push,

A helpful hand, without any expectation,

The man next door.

 

Always there with gifts for children,

Small toy cars or sweets to gain a smile,

All given freely and with love,

The man next door.

 

Arms of proffered friendship beckoned,

Offering warmth and social interaction,

‘Come in and play,’ the arcade enticed,

The man next door.

 

One, tiny coin amongst many, placed in a slot,

Fell through the gaps in a machine of promises,

Little was gambled, all was forfeit,

The man next door.

 

Debt, worry, gamble, worry, gamble, debt,

Mental illness, weight loss and alcohol,

Destruction of self belief and all self value,

The man next door.

 

Lost job,

Lost home,

Lost family, friends and love,

The man next door.

 

Huddled in a doorway on cold winter night,

Unseen, unheard, unwanted,

Society's refuse,

The man next door.

 

How many men next door?