Poems
CARRY ON LISTENING
give us a one level town
circled by green
give us unspecial needs
give us access all areas
a wheelchair wide world
as easy as yours
slopes and ramps and gentle contours
slight inclines and smooth edges
bear us no grudges
give us hoists and lifts don’t
give us shifty looks
give us a pointed finger free zone
give us poems in Braille and Makaton
and the time to read and speak them
give us eye level windows to see through
and new experience to feel through
give us the facts
give us eye contact
our own voice
our freedom of choice
a fair deal
an even keel
give us a level playing field
and when we’ve worn out those clichés one by one
when all’s said but not done
when we’re off and doing
out and about
give us clout
give us time
give us space
give us only what you wanted
what you take for granted
give us only what you have
given yourselves
a part in life’s dance
give us more than just a second’s glance
give us a chance
Commissioned for the ‘Carry on Listening’ project for people with
learning difficulties.
by John Lindley Cheshire Poet Laureate for 2004