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Open Poetry #41
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Living on the State
| Open Poetry #41 |
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Living on the State |
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effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity 
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53 years he spent down the pit Crawling around on his knees With his lungs full For over half a century Albert practiced his craft Down at the bottom of that cold dark shaft All he ever wanted to do was retire And relax with his pipe in front of the fire Now his body is worn out And that dream has long since faded All dignity gone he just feels degraded Is it coal for the fire or food for the plate? You can't afford both when you're living on the state So he swallowed his pride and went to the DSS But he shouldn't have bothered They never say yes He filled in some forms that didn't make sense And now he owes them 78 pence There is no food in the cupboard And no coal in the grate As Albert shivers by the fire and ponders his fate In place of his pipe he is holding a biro Awaiting the arrival of his pitiful Giro Before it's even been cashed it is virtually spent The biggest proportion swallowed up by the rent He puts a little aside for insurance and rates There's not even enough left for a beer with his mates This isn't another of those hard luck stories It is living on the state .......Courtesy of the Tories [This message has been edited by Denise (01-21-2008 09:32 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2008 John Lawrence - All Rights Reserved | |||
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effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity |
This was written around 20 years ago when Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative party was in power in the UK. And our old folk were (as they sadly are still) struggling to make ends meet and had to choose between eating or keeping warm. Following on from my recent post ‘Girl of My Dreams’ this is again based on fact & Albert was also a real person. He used to tell me of His days working in the coal mines before the powers that be closed them all down. The really sad part for me was that Albert ended up sitting in the dark & cold so often unable to afford to buy the very coal he spent so long digging up in the cold & dark….For the benefit of my overseas Pip friends, a Giro is the equivalent of a social security check & as is so often the case when the likes of a proud Man such as Albert swallows their pride and go ‘cap in hand’ to try & get a little extra to help make ends meet, they get means tested & it usually turns out that they are told they are in actual fact being overpaid and finish up having money taken off them. I hope I die before I get old ….. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
although in the "States" that is exactly what I am contemplating at the moment... Social Security for a baby boomer retiring if need be~~ M |
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effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity |
M..That worries me, that you contemplate retiring I mean. Surely you would wither like an unattended grape on the vine with nothing to stimulate you. I'm sure you would miss the interaction with the kiddies should you decide to go for it. On the other hand.....you will have bags more time to post your wonderful work on the blue pages, So on that basis, I'll drink to you filling in the paperwork for your bus pass.. Cheers ! J |
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TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
"I hope I die before I get old" me too. Love your poem. What a wonderful heart to sense other's suffering. I am so sorry to hear that story. Ah, write more. have a wonderful day or night. Tomtoo  |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
What a sad story. I've known too many people who work all their lives, finally get to retire and then have to struggle through their "golden" years, which age can make miserable enough without adding poverty on top of it. Ida |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...thanks for sharing...James |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
You've written a timeless and universal predicament it seems. Here in the 'majestic' US of A, you will see lines of people daily at 'welfare' and Social (in)Security offices struggling to survive after years of paying their dues to the system...only to be turned away. You have hit a common thread in this, but it is not one we proudly share in our 'modern-day' social orders. |
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simon Member
since 2008-01-14
Posts 440London, England |
Love this, we all can have so much to say can't we & hopefully one day we CAN make a difference. I'm sure this strikes a quite familiar chord with everyone but as I'm English I can see exactly where this is coming from every day. I think the piece is really well written but the message it carries means far much more. Thanx |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
The really sad part for me was that Albert ended up sitting in the dark & cold so often unable to afford to buy the very coal he spent so long digging up in the cold & dark… This hurts!! Thank you for sharing this poem that touches such a delicate theme. Social welfare systems are insufficient to the real needs in many countries! To live in such precarious circumstances makes it really difficult to enjoy life. love Margherita |
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Bobby Jordan Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Effjayel, There you go. This is effective writting. Keep up the good work. Bobby |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
effjayel, don't worry, I am still too young to think about retiring, it's the one living in my barn loft (too long a story)that turns 62 this month and at the moment can't work as a result of his New Year's accident. Thanks for such a nice reply  M |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
I think Albert would have loved you as his friend John... although your words of him are sad, they also convey a love of life..and a love for your friend Albert. Thank you for sharing a piece of him with us here.. love RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyd |
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effjayel Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474At the Crossroads of Infinity |
Tom, I must insist, I gotta go first so you can write nice things on here about me Ida, you are so right. What really annoys me is that our respective governments can find endless amounts of cash when a disaster like the Tsunami or something similar happens but make our nearest & dearest old folk live in such misery. I am not for one minute suggesting that we do not hold out our hands to those in such dire need following natural disasters, it just sticks in your throat to see the hardship our own loved ones face especially in the hard winters we have here. I for one would be quite happy to contribute extra cash to those in need if only it did get to them. But as we know, if we all paid into such a fund, the politicians would tax it, add special tax, etc, etc….I noted on Tv the other night during the launch of Liverpool 2008 that Ringo Starr is almost 70, maybe we should get Him & McCartney & Jagger et all to have an old fogies benefit concert! JamesMicheal, I appreciate the kind words from such a talented prolific writer such as yourself, Cheers ! Midnitesun, spot on, I am almost ashamed to hold my hand up as a member of our civilised society. Wild animals treat each other with more respect. Simon, you see the same crud everyday same as me & know it matters not what we say or do, things will never alter. Anyone who thinks the class system in the UK no longer exists must still believe in Santa & the Tooth Fairy. We may no longer have the barriers we once did with upper, middle & working class. That has now evolved into the haves, have nots & have more than everyone else put together. David Beckham hang your head in shame…. Margherita, That is exactly why I’m spending all my hard earned while I can still enjoy it. Even if I saved a small fortune it would not be enough to keep me warm & fed when I need it most . Just a pity I don’t drink ! Bobby J, There YOU go, remarks like yours are the reason I post on here. Thanks for the support & encouragement RDB, I know Albert did appreciate my friendship and spending time with him & not just because I smuggled in cans of Guinness & choccy biccies for him. They are sad words but you know, neither Albert or Alec ever complained or felt hard done by which humbled me greatly.I am honoured to share a part of them on here, they were true gentlemen and I was privliged to have been able to share some happy hours with them. Thanks Vandana. M, you will always be too young to contemplate collecting crochet hooks/knitting needles.I am real good at reading between lines and I (think) I have pieced together the tale of the barn dweller. Whilst you cannot do gainful employment just yet, you need & MUST escape at every opportunity into the haven of your wonderful mind. There are volumes of greatness secreted within the chambers of your Heart. Please, set them free…? J |
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