School’s Out
Autumn leaves; ain’t no
summer up here, I’m crawling
along the roof
school’s out
and so are the lights.
Not much of a weekend –
usual entertainment: a DVD
a game and a piss-up;
instead I’m
up here. The night-chill
stiffens my cheek. I prise off
the copper right beside
the High Voltage
power line.
I make it, just, and inch back
towards the others. They’re
working on the middle block.
I used to go here once, so I
know my
way round the sheds and backs
of the houses, know where to go if
we need to escape…
Hurry, pigs’ll be here
soon! someone says. A neighbour’s
lights go on up the hill. I topple
down with my loot, and wait to
scram.
We did good,
a man says as the youngest of
us falls with a spark and a crackle
and a loud thump to the ground.