Could Have Had A Normal Life Poem by Sheldon Carruthers

could have had a normal life
some stroppy kids and a pretty wife
a house with mortgage
and handsome pension too
life insurance for reassurance
some stocks and shares a fancy pair of underwear
a stamp collection or two
a photographic album
of holiday snaps and of memorable times we once had

a pocket book of birds for ornithological persuits
a great big pare of wellington boots
a one piece suit for dinner dates
and crates of things we love to hate

an attic room where our kids could play then run outside all day
Christmas every year presents bought then wrapped with care
to share mymost inner thoughts with those whom I loved the most
but now all I have is beans on toast, monthly bills to look forward to and a lonely window sill

My mind is shaped by all my fears I have nothing left with whom to share
my hopes are gone and all my dreams are too
my anger rises from within surely it is not I who sinned but you
the loony bin the loony bin the loony bin
I crave my freedom back but unthinking minds lack proper judgement and day by day grow fat with wods of money back too back
for they are strong and I am week though they seek to chain me they will not defeat what liesinside
for that is what makes me human, my pride