Sleeve

 

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.

So 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 that, 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 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 offspring 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 puzzled as to how.

 

We support that smoking drinking man with our hard earned cash.

There is not an answer to this type of person, it’s all a mishmash

Condemn the human being that does not try to work an honest day

Put our hand in our pockets for these types that that makes us pay.

 

On one of your tattoos along your arm – ‘love you mum’

Does she know what individual you have become?

The rest of your sleeve up your arm, courtesy of the state

And anything that you might have earned, 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 repat 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 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