Houses are cool.

But sometimes too cool.

The roof protects me from the rain,

but stops me from seeing the stars.

The fireplace warms the house,

but stops my clothes from smelling like smoke.

The TV keeps me entertained,

whilst I ignore the wild.

The phone keeps me connected to the world

whilst distracted from the things I call ‘my world’.

The couches carry me while I carry my burdens,

but the wind offers to take them off my shoulders.

The wardrobe hangs my fashion,

whilst nature clothes herself for none to see.

The music adds a beat to my busy life,

the ocean offers me a soundtrack to sleep.

Indoor plants bring joy and stress and cost,

Behind the door there are plants that flourish for free.

I pay electric fans and eau de parfums to mask

floral scents and nature’s tunes

as I wildly work to be able to breathe

and enjoy the world I long to leave.

Privacy over sanity.

Block-out over invite-in.

Double locks over double knots

and double glazed over Milky Ways.

This construction is a vacuum of natural beauty and presence,

while I vacuum away any semblance of nature.

Cleanliness and disorder reigns supreme

under the hum of our white noise machine

And night light which we’ve

installed in favour of a moon beam.

Houses are cool.

But our minds and bodies long

to escape and embrace

their creation song.