This month's blog post comes from Carol T,
a reflection on standing up for your rights.
I have mice in my flat just now and have had mice and/or rats for the last 4 years. In one of the clips we were watching about housing rights someone had mice in their home and it made me think about mine. I've ended up putting up with them all this time, even though I'm terrified of mice!
When were asked at the end of the meeting to each say what we were going away thinking about, I said 'Mice have rights too!', just trying to be funny. But then I started thinking about what it is like for the mice and how I don't stand up for my human rights, so it's me that hasn't got a back bone!
It's scared. I'm scared. Writing this poem helped me to look at how I was really feeling.
Mice have Rights too
What about me?
I've a right to remain
I don’t have a name
But my rights are the same.
I've got mouths to feed
Stomachs are empty
Only poison to eat.
Scraps are plenty, Plenty of rights!
I don’t make much sound
I'm as quick as a flash
Shadows are glanced in the blink of an eye
As I scamper by.
Your screams, screeches pierce through my ears
You frighten, scare me I'm full of fear
Brothers and sisters dead on the trap
Slowly die as they eat the poisonous crap.
What about me ?
I've a right to remain
I don’t have no name
But my rights are the same.
A safe place to stay a crumb from your table
Trying to keep my family stable
You try to destroy me you turn a blind eye
Laugh at your phobia call me Vermin.
Dirty evil spineless creature
I cant help my nature.
What about my voice I want to be heard
Listen to my life my family dead
Its quick you say just a snap to the neck
Or a slow poisonous deep sleep what a cheek!
Where else can I go you’ve taken my habitat
Built homes, flats, knocked down our turf
Well weve had enough squattins our game
Treat us with kindness be humane.
You’re the spineless one you cant say No!
Accepting conditions has become your to go
Jumping at the slightest noise
That’s your choice
Take a leaf out of my book
Stand up for your rights just look.
Open your eyes open your ears
Accepting humiliation for years
Fight learn gain knowledge you see
Stop blaming me Stop blaming me.
What about me
I've a right to remain
I don’t have a name
But my rights are the same.
