Chapter 17 Packing Boxes. Poem by Katherine Shaw

The next few days were spent packing boxes
Dad's record collection, mum's china foxes
Packing away this and that
I even packed dad's favourite hat
I gave everything to a charity shop
Nothing was left not even a clock
The day had come for me to leave
The landlord wouldn't grant me a reprieve
I left with a few bags of things
Some clothes, jewellery and my parent's rings

Mum and dad had no will or insurance policy
There was nothing left for me
I couldn't even access mum's bank account
Money of which there was a large amount
The bank said that it would take time
Before the money could become mine
Well I didn't have time to wait
Had no time to hesitate
No, I had to reluctantly go
Even though my funds were low
What money I had left I put into my pocket
Made sure I had my old locket
I could only pack a few clothes
How was I going to survive? god knows

I couldn't go to Rita's she was dealing with her own grief
I wouldn't go there not even for a stint so brief
She had lost her twin sister, had her life torn apart
She had to be left alone to heal her broken heart
Anyway, I was old enough to stand on my own two feet
I had no choice but to walk the street
I was a grown adult anyway
I was sure I could find a place to stay
I spent a few weeks drifting around
Taking any old job that I found
The jobs they came, the jobs they went
My wages were rapidly spent.
I used all most of my wages on hotel rent
It didn't last, it soon bloody went
I had to pawn my gold jewellery
But I kept my locket and rings with me
From riches-to-rags I had been
Never before such financial hardship I had seen
Why did my parents have to die?
How the hell was I going to get by?