Community

<span;>Eric had a car
<span;><span;>An old car called a mayflower
<span;>No license , but a car.
<span;>Needed to visit his disabled son
<span;>Eric's car was open to all
<span;>With Eric driving
<span;>Jean ,his wife, always in passenger seat.
<span;>Kids to doctors
<span;>Collecting odds and sods for all.
<span;>One Saturday the mayflower called maisy by all but eric stopped.
<span;>Terry. Wide boy neighbour diagnosed.
<span;>Siezed handbrake.
<span;>Two men looking at a car brought neighbours
<span;>Clive thought a stuck clutch
<span;>Tony said start it up let's see what happens.
<span;>Engine started car stalled on moving.
<span;>Paddy and Kathleen came to see what's happening.
<span;>Sylvia came to see what Clive was up to.
<span;>The women chatted made quiet comments on the ineptitude of men
<span;>Then moved together to make mugs of tea
<span;>It was decided to move the car into the  road for more space.
<span;>Men vanished to get tools
<span;>Then together the car was pushed into the road.
<span;>That it blocked the road, who cared?
<span;>Kids were interested now
<span;>All the dad's were discussing
<span;>This just had to be interesting.
<span;>Others were appearing
<span;>Norman three doors up said, can I help.
<span;>Even George, him at number 34, came to help.
<span;>Wives congregated and split
<span;>And bowls and boxes were moved into jeans kitchen
<span;>The men lifted the car onto bricks
<span;>No body had a jack.
<span;>There was banging.
<span;>Arguments over strange mechanical philosophy's
<span;>Shouts of Clive hold that
<span;>Norm turn that wheel
<span;>Eric hit it . No harder.
<span;>Shouts of dad what's happening
<span;>Sod  off we're busy
<span;>But dad!
<span;>Tea up you lot!!
<span;>Mugs of tea. Biscuits. Cake.
<span;>What it's working!
<span;>Car starts and moves there's a cheer
<span;>A pack of beer is opened
<span;>Chairs are on the lawn
<span;>Everyone including George are elated ,maisy is working.
<span;>It becomes a party
<span;>Kids with trifle, men with corned beaf sarnies.
<span;>Maisy is working and we did it.

<span;>Clive died of a heart attack
<span;>Sylvia committed suicide 2 weeks later.
<span;>Tony died
<span;>Kathleen moved away
<span;>Paddy has dementia and no longer lives with us
<span;>Norman and his wife Chris died
<span;>All the others. gone
<span;>Eric and Jean
<span;>Still there. Alone.
<span;>But memories that bring a smile
<span;>Shared times of community
<span;>Shared times of love.
<span;>In heaven there is a broken mayflower
<span;>And a few people round to help.
<span;>Who needs more?
<span;>