Looking back, I see happiness, struggle and guilt,
I slept under clothing; we didn’t have a quilt,
The back yard covered in soot and silt,
From the railway line above us, what BR had built,
In poverty, we were up to the hilt!
*****
The disappearing family, starting with Mothers running away,
The police pursued her, warrants in hand, I might say,
But I didn’t blame her for running then, and not even today,
The police couldn’t find her, try as they may,
They search all over Britain, even in Callais,
Years later they did, arrested her, tried her but didn’t put her away,
Gave her a new flat, paid her rent, utility bills too did they,
Con-Woman Par Excellence, at her trial on the day,
Victims appeared as Character witnesses for her! it’s true to say.
*****
Joined the Army, booted out shortly, made me feel blue,
Searched for a job, something I could do,
Went into retail, and did very well too,
Then I got made redundant, what a hullabaloo!
Did industrial cleaning, hard work and horrible too,
Then I got made redundant, occasion number two,
The only job I could get then was in Security, boo-hoo,
Minimum wage, eighty hours a week, eventually promotion got through,
Even more hours, but the wage went up 15p an hour, Yahoo!
Then I got made redundant there too!
*****
To another Security company, where my hopes were high,
Another 10p an hour, I felt I could fly!
Working in the Control room, hard graft but I was on a high,
Then I got made redundant, for the fourth time oh my!
*****
No chance of further work appeared now was so old,
64 years of age and out of work, it made me feel bitter and cold,
So I had to go on the Old King Cole; the dole,
Signing on, applying for jobs, nothing to behold,
I was not trying enough to find work; I was told,
140 applications in 6 months not enough? Anger took a hold!
*****
“I may have to review your support rates,” said the spotty faced urchin,
He nearly got a punch on his acne ridden chin!
But I remembered I was on a high reading for me Warfarin,
I asked the pimply person if he’d like to somehow begin…
Talking to me without sneering, my control level was getting thin,
That was when he hit a panic button, to get Security in!
*****
I was removed to an office, to await the arrival of the police; there’s gratitude!
A chap said ‘We’ve got it all on Camera, your abusive attitude!
I’ve done or said nowt wrong, Good God, I spewed!
The police arrived, we chatted, they checked the camera, I’d not been rude!
They let me go, showing common sense and latitude!
*****
Next week I was put on Income Support, I was a £10 better off then,
Soon I got me retirement pension; I was happy again,
Of course, the Angina, and duodenal ulcer was a pain,
Having to have a new ticker fitted, and the varicose vein,
The Arthritis the sticking reflux valve, the blood from piles did stain,
The hearing aids now fitted, I could hear a bit again,
I started to go just a little bit insane!
*****
Bum bum!
Did some graphicationalising, and then got the laundry things ready.
Back up to the bus-stop, and found an L9 was due in 15 minutes, so I waited for it to arrive.
The last of the boiled spuds, the last beef slice, the last of the chestnut mushrooms, the last of the Irish potatoes, some nice chestnuts and bread thins.