Living in the 2020s, first the pandemic
lock down restricted our movement
then we had more freedom
hoping it would be an improvement
No, different problems arose
labour shortages, border delays.
many products became scarce
then war in Ukraine, frightening days.
Grocery prices quickly rising
first by pence, then pounds
the rate of inflation is surprising.
When, oh when will this stop?
People are struggling; far and wide
there's too much to lose
there's little choice, having to decide
do we eat or do we heat?
Hungry children struggling to learn
while parents skip meals
Trying to eke out their money
searching for affordable deals.
Economising, deciding what to eat
pasta, milk, butter no longer cheap
many other products rising too.
While shopping thinking what to do.
Energy bills going through the roof
people shouldn't have to be cold
cutting back, trying to stay warm
harder for those disabled, vulnerable or old.
We share tips to hunker down.
hot water bottles, blankets, hoodies.
How many layers we can wear
without feeling like a teddy bear.
People unable to pay their bills
desperately trying to keep their home.
Anxious about ill health, cold kills.
Others worse off are freezing & dying alone.
21st century Britain exhausted by austerity
services and resources cut to the bone
people not having enough to eat
being unable to heat their home.
Hardship is impossible to dismiss
people are struggling, we can see
it shouldn't have to be like this.
How much worse can it possibly be?
Liz Gregson
November 2022
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