A Lyric Poem

INJURED ON DUTY:

As a Police Officer, honest and true
With a commitment to take care of ‘you’!
I did my job with honour and pride
Working all hours, with all else put aside

Even off duty I stayed so alert
And kept an eye open for dishonest ‘perps’
The clock and the payment had nothing to do
With the time that I spent to look after ‘you’

Imagine my shock, my shame and dismay
To find that I wasn’t cared for that way
When beaten on duty and damaged enough 
To be forced to retire, and no longer tough

My life was in pieces, my lifestyle destroyed
Not fit to ever again be employed
My pension too small to upkeep my home
My feelings so hurt that my heart turned to stone

Every relationship broken in two
So difficult now to meet anyone new
When I asked for help I found none for me
The worst of the damage not found yet, you see!

Now my small income has become even less
And worse yet to come as I can’t pass the test
Which would prove that my ailments are ALL a result
Of that fateful day I was beaten to pulp

After 26 years suffering daily ill health
My former force is protecting their wealth
My feelings, integrity, honesty, and respect
don’t count at all as I fall through their net

I now have to fight for my right to exist
The assessors make up information to fit
The criteria required to keep my pension low
After 4 more years of hell to a tribunal I go!

By Anon