For H.J. - Who Got Away (Poetry)

In Memory of a neighbour who, for 25 years or so, shared with us the
anti-social misery of a badly-managed social housing block. Driven out by
sheer desperation, she and her family managed to escape only last year
(2020) and, for a few months, enjoyed a stress-free lifestyle in the private
sector before she passed away suddenly at the age of 55. God Bless.


She wanted more than ‘this provincial life’
and near the end there was no time to waste
so taking chance in hand made her last move
and found her place not far ahead of Fate

A few blithe months of what she’d set her heart on
a style of living far more to her taste
the platform raised — hence fitting to depart from
though no farewells — she left in sudden haste

So short that victory but who can measure
the satisfaction of each waking day
with freedom’s breath the sweetest air to treasure
that prize all hers — the one who got away