The Old Story (Poetry)

Dear Mama
I know that you worry
but please don’t take on
I always was trouble
you should be relieved that I’m gone
and it’s way overdue that
I tried standing on my own feet
I’m no longer a child
I’ve outgrown the naive and the sweet

Don’t blame yourself either
my leaving was not down to you
I always was restless
staying home was just too hard to do
plus the boy I was with
was a drifter — a real gypsy sort
and a serial stealer of hearts
way too clever to ever get caught

The world can be tough
so who doesn’t get sad and complain?
and yet given the choice
I’d take all the same chances again
there are days when I’m happy
almost hopeful my luck will soon turn
and I’ll find a rich husband
the kind who has money to burn

Meanwhile I admit
I’ve got bills piling up by the score
for whatever my income has been
the outgoings are so very much more
Oh forgive me for asking Mama
is there any chance of a loan?
Those cruel wolves circle close and I dread
I’m about to be thrown

I have fourteen short days
and then I will be out on the street
with a few pence in my purse
and just crumbs in my pocket to eat
it’s a fact I’m behind with the rent
and the bills scream in red
the electric is off — it’s so cold
that I’m staying in bed

My last boss was a creep
I suspected the day I was hired
if I didn’t play nice he’d get nasty
so last week I was fired
and the queue down the benefits office
Monday morning was long
I saw in through the window
I guess I’ve no choice but sign on

Oh what a mess! What an absolute wreck!
and the worst news (or maybe the best)
is I’m having a baby — I feel kind of weepy
but really I shouldn’t get stressed
and the father is ... well, he is married —
the old story — a wife and three kids
I’m stupid and should have known better
it was crazy to do what I did

So please help — I am begging you, Mama
We won’t survive long on bread and water
I hope you’ll answer soon. Love from
                                        Your undeserving daughter