Monday 14 July 2014

our daily bread

musicians in partnership with communities


A crack in the leaden sky is followed by the rumble of distant thunder. The icy rain begins to fall in sheets. The sky is falling on the street people in drenching waves and the pale sunshine offers cold comfort. Never dry, never warm and always hungry but here under the railway arches the rain cannot penetrate.
See me. I was just like you. I thought it would be alright. I thought some thing would turn up. I tried my hardest to make it happen.
I want you to know that my situation is not of my own making nor a choice. I made mistakes but the price is very high. Why me? Why any one? No one should be adrift among the Christmas spending, lending and debt or going through a bin on a lovely summer day while the tourists of the world stream by on their holidays. I want to be warm. I want to be clean. I want to be safe.
Honestly? I just  want to be wrapped up in a great blanket, go to sleep and wake up in a clean bed with a roof over me. Twenty eight years old and I hear myself whisper, so no one can hear, I want my mom.
I know the money lender's man is after me. This time I know failure to make payments will result in a broken finger or worse and still I will owe more than I have borrowed. If only I could get a helping hand towards a small change, towards a fresh start. If only.


O U R   D A I L Y    B R E A D

3rd October 2014






9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thats our Society.We are too busy buying for ourselves in a frenzy,we don't have time to reflect on others who are lonely,weak,sick disadvantaged or poor.

Anonymous said...

Hi. It's been a while. Bob has been poorly but better now. Read your earlier piece about Our daily bread. We won't be able to make it but glad it is going ahead and we hope it goes well. This piece is excellent, as usual, short and to the point.
Mary and Bob
xx

Anonymous said...

i was homeless in Bristol Edgar. Back in 1973 my folks threw me out because I was addicted to heroin. I am sorted out now and have a family, and a driving job but I remember how terrible it was living in the streets.Good luck to you mate. Love what you do.

Anonymous said...

Reckon your enjoying life too much for a socialist....NOT! Hah ha! No seriously I really like your style mate.

Anonymous said...

What will it take to get people to demand what is decent and fair???
Janet Ponting

Anonymous said...

I sat trying to comfort & give advice to a lady last week as she was due to be evicted from her home for rent arrears. Now this lady had got herself a job as she said she did not want to be on benefits as she wanted to earn money for a better life for her & her 3 children. Her eldest son got a job & some of her housing benefit was taken away as his income was 'taken in to account'. This put them in arrears as the family could not juggle the money that was left; or should I say the money that was just not there to start with. Her rent went in to arrears of just over £1,000. She worked more hours to pay the arrears. She reduced the arrears to £300 but by then her local council had taken her to court & the judge had set an eviction date unless she paid the outstanding £300. However, this £300 had now become £500 as court costs were added. Eviction date is 21st July, tomorrow. She appealed against the decision ahead of the eviction date for which she had to pay a further £50. I represent tenants in my area but this was out of my area, she was in fact a complete stranger but I hope I gave her some good advice & that her appeal was successful but I was called away as I was there to help a tenant in my area. Apart from one grown up son this lady has two young children. One of these children is due to have a brain scan this week as he has been very poorly but still despite this, (she made the council & the court aware of this) & paying off the majority of her arrears she still faces eviction.

Sally

Anonymous said...

A high percentage of people using food banks in the UK are working. Says it all.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to be against the current but there are a lot of scroungers who tell a good sob story. Also how we gonna pay for all these benefit.

Anonymous said...

Tax the rich that is how!!!!
Scroungers? What for £72.40 a week? The lady I mentioned was working & getting her LOW WAGE topped up with benefits.
Sally