Lucy's poem

back to east penrest

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

With outbreaks of foot and mouth
Getting closer everyday
as the daughter of a farmer
there's some things i want to say

our sympathy lies with the farmers who've lost
their farms in this heart wrenching fight
but just because others are free at the moment
doesnt mean that they are alright

spare a thought for the farmer who waits in suspense
for the results of his tests by MAFF
who tries so hard to keep a smile on his face
even though there's no reason to laugh

think of the farmer whose safe so far
in an area with just one confirmed case
but if foot and mouth engulfs him too
see the bitterness creep over his face

pray for the farmer who feels suicidal
as the rain drips her funeral beat
because of the movement restrictions
his stock's welfaer takes a back seat

feel for the farmer who's stuck in the middle
who struggles to make ends meet
who cant sell any stock: make any money
barely has enough to eat

you see, we're all in this together
we've all got to share this pain
don't abandon us when we need you
on our own we'll go insane

though contracting the disease
is a widespead fear
killed stock isnt
the only reason for tear

all the hours of labour, the effort put in
to keep the farm running well
dreams are shattered, will the farm stand again?
only the future can tell

when all of this has passed us by
when tears have been dried by the sun
it's not quite back to normality yet
not by a long, long run

think of the animals that have been wiped out
the lives and hearts that were broken
think of the problems, situations raised
remember the kind words that were spoken

be there for your local farmers
as they rebuild their lives, with all their heart
support, understand and encourage
as they pick up the pieces... back at the start!

by Lucy Wilson, 14yrs, Email:lucywilson14@hotmail.com
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