We invited care leavers from across the country to come together virtually during the lockdown to create a collaborative poem about how they define care. Here is the result.
Foster care is nothing like Tracey Beaker
Social workers changing all the time
Having to tell my story again and again
Authors of no authority, yet they know best
Social workers, alcoholism, LAC reviews
What was lacking was love
A misguided path to independence
And a consequence of a childhood betrayed
Care is having financial assistance thrown at a situation
When it isn’t always the answer
My PlayStation was imagination
Dream cast new realities to avoid the thought of isolation
It’s OK to say; “Hey, I need some help, I’m not OK this day”
Care is isolation
Care is loneliness
But care has more than one definition
Care is many things
It’s love and it’s loss
It’s fear and it’s security
It’s hurt, but it’s resilience
Care is love
Care is kindness
Care is passion that will never die
Care gave me a safe space to grow up in
Care is hope
A chance to allow someone who cares to look after me
My care experience was the birth of my new life
I care for others will love and compassion
I was cared for as a stranger and accepted as family
You see, I define care as an asset to humanity
When harnessed and properly understood
A care leaver’s vulnerability can be like a superpower
Being in care meant that I was different
But my differences gave me a new family
My friends, my people, my world
My differences gave me a life I never dreamt of having
True care is hidden in bureaucracy
But true care will shine a light.
Alicia, Benjamin, Carla, Casey, Chloe, CPositivista, Danielle, David, Eleanor, Jai, Keeley, Kim, Nils, Paris, Ric, Rosie, Sophia, and Tychique.
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