Knife Crime

I didn’t hear the helicopter in the night
my wife did
and she heard voices
 
I was late coming downstairs
in my speckled maroon pyjamas
from an M & S outlet
                                         
still too big
even though the hormones
have made me put on a stone
 
she was stirring her porridge
I let the dogs out into the garden
they didn’t come back
                                        
they must have got out
I checked the front gate                              
it was open
 
the police left it open
at 1.30 in the morning
looking for someone or a knife
 
I was like a villain
trying to run after the dogs in my speckled maroon pyjamas
cradling my heart
 
hoping not to die
before I found them
crossing the road at the traffic lights

.