Poems
18 Years
It doesn’t seem that long ago
I put them down and started living.
A new world opened up to me
- it’s health and life it’s giving.
My money pile is modest,
In smoke’s not where it went –
Had I still clung to that next fag,
I know it would be spent.
Instead I have the ink to write,
The energy to live my life –
Not struggling because of Smoky Joe,
I get much more from life.
What do I do with hands not brown
From holding filthy ‘cancer sticks’?
Well, you can see the evidence
that this old dog has learnt new tricks.
In 18 years I haven’t finished,
I’ve started new beginnings –
Just watch me as this new adult
Makes use of all her winnings.
by Esme Waterhouse
Click here to listen to poem