Poem. The Life of Me.

The Life of Me.

1.
My young life had not been fine
Father died, I was barely nine
Mother got her kicks from drink
Never caring much for me, I think

2
My sister and brother were taken away
That left me, I had to stay
Life with Mum was an endurance to survive
From camping grounds and shacks, it was hard to thrive

3
Finally a state house was found, no liquor allowed
But Mum found a way, I was never proud
The time had come for me to be taken
Foster care, the last choice, I was shaken

4
A mountain of carers for me to endure
At last a home with Jim and Bernice, left me unsure
Their genuine love was suspicious to start
Not knowing kindness and help on my part

5
My first job, a factory clothes to make
Money for me, independence an intake
Still not trusting my fosters from any other
Waiting the day my security they would smother

6
I would run away, Jim would always comb
When found, he would always bring me home
Home, a lovely word, could this be right?
Slowly realising what I received was bright

7
I hadn’t given credit to these folk who cared
At last my life changed, was I prepared
Bernice’s continuously guiding and trying to mould
My future to become a person, proud and bold

8
The next big change was helping the sick
Becoming a Nurse’s aid was a great pick
Soon it was time to look after myself
Find a flat, set up house with some background help

9
There was always guidance, my fosters never missed
Not too busy to help, there to assist
Love arrived next, and then marriage had come
To Phillip, the father of my daughter and son

10
My own mother was sick and needed home care
I nursed her till the end, no love she would share
The next sadness was the suddenness of Bernice dying
This shock was never controlled by crying

11
Jim took over, with protection and advice
Helping me through bad times, once or twice
Another shock, my marriage fell apart
Again a huge burden on my ever-aching heart

12
Life carried on, with goals to be made
My family to guide, but the hurt wouldn’t fade
The years rolled by, my children would go soon
To be left alone again, not a happy tune

13
Along came Gary, new love on the scene
Happiness again, like a wonderful dream
We moved to a nice home, great gardens galore
My job at oldies home was a real chore

14
Jim’s move to Australia, quite a big blow
But a holiday there, he was happy, it did show
Another move for us to the seaside we went
A new home, nice beach, we were really content

15
The years have gone by, a neat job I have found
Caring for the sick and old in their homes, great all-round
With my family now just a phone call away
And Jim is the same, also email at bay

16
For me, summers are great, relaxed on the sand
Gary happy with golf plus a beer in his hand
Not much more is needed to fill my life
The past has gone, no more room left for strife.

556 words