The gap

I live in the gap
between the need and the reality
I am not alone

I live in the gap
between the need and the reality
thousands of us do

We live in the gap
between the need and the reality
lying sprawled and undignified
in this chasm
in this split

We live in the gap
between the need and the reality
“It's all down to resources”
they say
there in the statistics
there in the headlines
there on the pages
there should you read of it
there...

And everyone’s busy
and everyone’s rushing
and people trip over us
and still we're not noticed
and goodness, doesn’t it hurt
here is the need
there is the reality

We live in the gap
Between the need and the reality;
Here is the need and there is the reality,
A lifetime, a legend, a fantasy away,
And we lie,
Breathless and wanting,
And always, always, waiting,
For what else is there to be done?

Waiting for a bed
waiting on a list
waiting for answers
waiting for resolution
waiting for change
waiting for death
waiting
always waiting
waiting...