Advice based on opinion is almost worthless
Advice based on experience is invaluable
Scrutinise the counsel of others for what they may have overlooked
Oh dear, look over there
It’s very clear, even from here
Plump young mum, another on the way
Buggy-shoving through a brand-new day
Can’t you tell, even at a glance
Little Errol stands littler chance
Tied securely in his prison pram
Tired, exhausted, silent as a lamb
His cream cake crumbles on Greggs shop floor
Mam chats and smokes outside the door
Sister Cheryl runs wildly about
Ignoring Mam’s frantic shout
Non-working class; must it be like this?
Mired in a morass; existence no bliss
Minx Cheryl and timorous young Errol Smith
One in Mam’s tummy will be the fifth
Social workers don’t know what to do
Politicians haven’t even a clue
Proudly espousing ‘each child counts’
We’re investing money, look at the amounts!
But cash alone is not the solution
What we need is a revolution
Where families learn of a better way
To break the cycle of social decay
Where then the collective conscience?
For lives lived, but of no consequence
A tragic, doomed, wasted group
Class-locked in an endless repeating loop
Entrances all locked and fast
Bolts checked around the back
Windows secured to the last
Holding, at bay, attack
Family safely stowed abed
Enjoying well-earned sleep
Though heavy hangs the weary head
The watch still his to keep
Guttering lamp gives meagre light
Cold gnaws and gathers round
Corner shadows hold close the night
Time passing without a sound
A few more rounds; he might then rest
Wolf kept safely from the door
Dawn’s rays reveal its sad bequest
His burden he’ll carry no more
