The Need for Space

Living in a smallish flat is fine if one can use

Adjacent common areas whenever one might choose,

So one is not compelled to sit all day within four walls,

But has the right to sit outside if a need for fresh air calls.

And children are not forced to stay within a tiny flat,

But can spend hours out in the sun, where they can play and chat.

Flats quite often in the past were small it is quite true,

But they were there to eat and sleep, as everybody knew,

While children in particular passed all their time outdoors,

And never spent their time inside unless there was good cause.

The streets were safe for playing on, from dawn till sunset passed,

When they were called to come back in to eat and sleep at last.

But no child now can play outside, alone or with their friends,

Unless they’re watched and supervised, a job that never ends.

So times have changed, and lifestyles too, and most would now concede

That people now need bigger flats, to give the space they need.