LIKE FIRE LIKE STORM

A couple sat outside their room In a face-me-I-face-you slum Playing charting with each other Children fond of one another Passers by were passing, Tender breeze was blowing. Suddenly a seed of argument germinated, Gradually misunderstanding escalated Tolerance fading, patience dying Miscreants happy, children frowning A kid quickly turned a referee When adults became too carefree Angry husband indoor bound Noisy wife behind with loud sound Children followed, toys were dropping Gossips were whispering, strangers loitering The door was locked neighbours were sad. Inside, it seemed everyone was mad Through the window you could hear Loudly the wife was cursing At first he could only stare But his muzzles were expanding Children were crying, Friends were calling Phones were ringing dogs were backing Children yelling, pushing, begging Falling, rising, pulling... clothes tearing Frustration, confusion, worry, fury... Broken chairs, pestles... weapons of mass injury... To miscreants it was entertainment, For neighbours it was unfortunate. Next day in the face-me-I-face-you slum Same couple sat charting outside the room Children were happily playing Neighbours working, tender breeze blowing Passers-by were passing, The dogs were sleeping. Face-me-I-face-you is the name called low cost houses in the developing or underdeveloped countries in West Africa. It got this name because of the way they are designed with a row of single rooms facing each other and a passage between these two rows of 3, 4 or more rooms.