Food Banks

I’ve started buying two of things

one for me, one for you.

 

Every time I put something in the trolley

I see a mouth saying thank-you.

 

I love the way you sing to your children

and how they sing the same song

 

when walking to school, just the two of them

and I love the way they understand

 

when you explain they can’t have everything

but if there will be a treat once a week, promise.

 

My dad doesn’t believe in foodbanks

which is nice for him I suppose

 

but I can feel people all around me

how cold their toes are in their small rooms

 

with no heating and I know it’s not grubby faces

being washed in tin baths but it’s just not right.

 

Nice coffee for me nice coffee for you

No-one deserves the bad stuff.

 

I buy less for myself now

that seems the sensible way.

 

One less for me one more for you

life affirming algebra.

 

When you don’t have anything you realise

how enormous small things can be

 

how little we need how much we waste

eating without smiling should never happen at all.

 

I’ve been saying I’ll lose weight one day 

and now I've found a reason. You are hungry

 

and I’m full so let’s snap this Kit Kat in two

a bit for me, a bit for you.

 

My grandad’s next door neighbour still leaves

a four pack of Guinness on his doorstep sometimes

 

not for any reason, really,

apart from he knows he's always liked Guinness.