Housing Benefit Changes

My how time flies and you lose touch with people who have been significant in your life.  I returned back to the Test Track were I first met john,  I will call him John coz that's his name.  He was heading for retirement and just trying to enjoy the last few months of work.  I told him I write poems, he said he didn't really get poetry, I assumed he did based on his age, the fact that he listened to Radio 5 well how wrong can  we be when we assume.  He suggested I write a poem about what I do.  I am a Safety Critical Officer for Public Transport.  I love the way that sounds.  It really is that good other than it is currently under threat and it involves lots of early mornings and walking.

So I went back after two ok three months and he had retired and it had all changed.  I was so pleased with myself.  Firstly I had my poem I wrote about my job in the company magazine, that week.  Yes I have been published and on top of that I had written 3 poems about an issue which was dear to his heart.  Really should be dear to all our hearts unless you are rich then in that case 'Well Done'.

It took my cousin Annette who works in Housing to explain how 'The Benefit Changes' Effects people who are in most cases the most vulnerable   People being forced to move because they; are unemployed; on housing benefit living in social housing.  The only stable aspect in their life is their Housing or less give it's correct term 'Their Home' they are being forced to move out if they are under occupied. That's the jargon for a spare room.

So here are my 3 poems for John My Muse.  It's ok he knows

Posted fb 04/05/13

#92 They’ve Made a Mistake

They’ve made a mistake

Its all a big joke

I am waiting for the punch line

But it never comes

They have devastated my life

Now they expect me to run

Not likely

They need to find someone else to bully

I have worked hard all my life

Retired, now trying to enjoy

The fruits of my labour

Now you want me to move

To do you a favour

You have neglected to build houses

Is this my fault?

I am being made to pay

For your shortfall

You pick on me

Because I am old

I cannot mobilise

Get organised

This is a travesty

This is not right

I am not leaving

You are not taking me alive

I will stay here

Starve until I die

Sorry You Have to Move

Oh you are sorry it has to be this way

You say your hands are tied

Not taking complaints today

We all know why

To leave my home

Because of a benefit ruling

Who are they hoodwinking

Who are they fooling

They want to break up communities

Destroy lives

There is more to this

Than meets the eyes

Have we failed them?

Have we angered the power that be?

I wasn’t involved  in the riots

So don’t punish me

Another Faceless Estate

I have to move

I don’t know when

I don't know where

I have been told

I have to move

Just like that

I have to go

I’ ve lived here

Too long to recall

I was a Wife

I was a mother

I am a grandmother to them all

Now I have to move

Don't I have a say?

Why me?

They’ve changed the rules

It is enforced today

They changed them almost overnight

Where is our gumption?

Where is our fight?

They say that this place is too big for me

Is it my fault life changes predictably

That the children have flown

My husband has passed

This is my home

I am the last

This is where I belong

They are not listening

They don’t care

That everything I have ever done

I have done right here

The children

The grandchildren

They know where I live

If they move me to wherever

How will I survive

I don’t know anyone

New area

New fears

I know this place

I have known it for years

I should've of bought it when I had the chance

They were ‘t giving mortgages

For this high rise muck

Now it is too late

This is my fate  

Moving to yet another

Faceless estate