Shared Wall – New Poem

Shared Wall 

My neighbour has seamed our shared wall 
with spikes that’ll split any landing thing,

the latest defence tactic against 
pigeons, blackbirds, sparrows, 
starlings, robins, wrens.  

First came a faux sparrowhawk, 
then a plastic owl, swivelling head,
followed by two black cat silhouettes. 

I spew messages into a WhatsApp group chat.
Later, I add a tumbleweed gif to my text stack, 
then, embarrassed, unsend everything.

In my neighbour's yard, a metal robin placard 
nailed to brick, a mirror to make the yard 
appear bigger, artificial flowers, solar panels, 
a plaster sun grinning, hands cupped.