Sleeve
I saw a man in town today and
could not believe my ears.
The things that he was saying –
I did not want to hear!
The tattoos exposed on his arm
as he rolled up his sleeve:
The crudeness that appeared in
ink, I did not want to see.
He says he has no money and
lives on benefits.
Too skint to support his
offspring. as he lights another cigarette.
And throughout his life, some
casual work, living on his wits!
How he goes through life like this,
although he does not care a bit.
He’s ‘starving’, yet he’s paid
for a cheeseburger and some chips,
A bottle of something in carrier
bag as he takes a few more swigs.
Lives his life ducking and
diving, living off the dole,
Has no interest in learning new
skills and no career goal.
Left his wife and children, so
it’s us that pays the price!
His children bought into the
world, walked away more than twice.
The only way he knows how to
survive is the way he’s living now
Complaining about the state of
the country and I’m puzzled as to how.
We support that smoking,
drinking man with our hard earned cash.
There is no answer to this type
of person, it’s all a bit mishmash
Condemn the human being that
does not work an honest day
Put our hand in our pockets for
this type, that makes us pay.
On one of your tattoos along
your arm – ‘love you mum’
Does she know what kind of individual
you have become?
The rest of your sleeve up your
arm, courtesy of the state
And anything that you might have
earned, or a favour for a mate.
No tax to pay, no rent to find,
it’s all been nicely covered
Wonder what childhood you might
have had, bought up by your mother
And here you are in my hometown,
thinking you are ‘owed’
Your train of thinking of
anything else, to me you’ve sunk so low.
I rush by, avoiding your eye and
do not wish to meet.
You’re not my ilk or kind of
person and wouldn’t like to greet.
You do not realise how lucky you
are with a room, food and heat
Sitting in a warm winter coat on
a suburban seat.
I do not wish to repeat the kind
of words you’ve used commonly today.
A narcissist, that thinks only
of you and what you are trying to say.
I wish, in my heart, to give you
a chance to be civilised on this earth
But the way you are, the only
way, you’ve only known since birth.
Look so rough, act so tough,
want to pull you aside - enough is enough!
As you light another cigarette
inhale deeply on some puff.
No guilt, no shame and it’s
plain you’re the only one to blame,
A liar and cheat to your very
soul, you’ve always been the same!
We all know this personality and
want to make it right.
They think they are above the
law, no truth without a fight.
As the sleeve revealed the names
of his kids he’s never supported,
And the wife that had enough,
her marriage she aborted.
He’s capable of working, but
cannot seem to change his ways
I’ll carry on avoiding, keep my
thoughts to myself, avert his gaze
Came away from school without
grades - even now he’s not so bright.
But we’ll dig deep down in our
pockets, make sure he’s alright.
Copyright Linda Lawrence
Mid-March 2025
