My challenge for the Poem-a-thon is to recite this poem - Atlas by U. A. Fanthorpe - from memory and read some of my own original poems.

I've chosen this poem because I feel that the work of our Citizens Advice service is fueled by this practical kind of love and kindness for others in our community. Our volunteers help with letters and insurance and know 'the way the money goes'. They help others navigate the complex and  'permanently rickety elaborate structures of living'. They do all of this with such sensitivity, kindness and non-judgement - it really is the sensible side of love.

Please support us to keep providing this support to all those who need it. Thank you.

Atlas

There is a kind of love called maintenance
,

Which stores the WD40 and knows when to use it;

Which checks the insurance, and doesn’t forget


The milkman; which remembers to plant bulbs;

Which answers letters; which knows the way


The money goes; which deals with dentists

And Road Fund Tax and meeting trains,


And postcards to the lonely; which upholds

The permanently rickety elaborate


Structures of living, which is Atlas.

And maintenance is the sensible side of love,


Which knows what time and weather are doing


To my brickwork; insulates my faulty wiring;


Laughs at my dryrotten jokes; remembers


My need for gloss and grouting; which keeps


My suspect edifice upright in air,


As Atlas did the sky.

U.A. Fanthorpe

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.