Lost in time

I've been lost in space many times
Misplaced my way and trespassed lines
It's fine. I guess.
Sometimes I leave a mess
But mostly, it's for the best.

Because it's only by going places we aren't meant to
That we realise where we're supposed to be.
Echolocate our way to home in the midst of this cacophany.

So let us sound out the solution to the problem I now see
I'm not exactly sure when I am supposed to be.

Yes you read that right, and no, I'm not talking in jest.
Because in this world I always have so little time to invest.

Just as I get comfortable, settled in to a season
It always ups and passes by without reason

The earth keeps on spinning and rotating and falling
Meaning I'm never winning and I find this appalling

I guess, well, I just take more time than most to adjust
So I find myself out of sorts. And I've cried and I've cussed
But it doesn't matter. Watches I watch don't stop on a dime.
And I find myself, once again, a man out of time.

Maybe I should go forward. Predict the next trend.
But then it wont be long until, that too, will end.
I'll be out of sorts once more, once more out of mind.
So maybe then there's a whole different decade to find?

I've seen people do it. Stick themselves in the past.
They cling desperately until their very last.
While it's sad in a way, it's also inspiring.
They think I'm there judging, I'm simply stood there admiring.
Impressed by the strength of character, resilience of mind.
To always keep their clockwork up tight - never unwind.

But that's their destiny, so I'll be aware just for me.
A traveller should never know where they're supposed to be.

Fish in the sea

You're heartbroken again, aren't you?
You've seen life's turmoils through and through

Well don't worry. After all it should be plain to see
There's always plenty more fish in the sea

(This line was said with a big, wide, devious smile
That hung on the narrator's face for a while
After all, they knew your life and knew the score
And how many times you'd heard that line before)

Of course, the issue with that saying is clear
You'll find another fish if you persevere

But some fish are sharks, with a nasty bite
Some fish only come out in the dead of night
Some are whales, which may still be your thing
Some, like the jellyfish, pack a powerful sting
Oh they're beautiful to look at, don't get me wrong
You just never want to hang around them for long
Some like a swordfish you'd never want to kiss
Some camouflage away and are easy to miss
A pufferfish will put on such a mighty display
But will look very different at the end of day

It seems, if you have high standards, you might still prove
It's possible to be alone even with an ocean-full to choose

But here's the catch, if you care to take my bait
All those flawed fish? They still find a mate
Despite all the flaws in someone you wish to uncover
They still find someone to adore and call their lover
Because here's where this analogy of you as a fisherman may cease to be true:
Somewhere out there someone is fishing for you too.

This fragile mind

This fragile mind was meant for only one end.
See, this fragile mind, it was meant to bend.

Though it's so very easy to snap and shatter
Particularly for thoughts that matter
It must stand strong, must persevere
For every thought it minds to hear

You can talk of fractures, talk of a tear
A raptured mind will withstand any wear
Brains? They fold. They envelope all info anew
If given something bad it'll absorb that too

It can't discriminate, there's no auto-filter
Removing that which will knock you off kilter
To embrace life, whatever trouble it may throw
Is the only way any fragile mind will grow

This fragile mind may have been through the worst
Want to shut itself out, feel though it was cursed
But this fragile mind will absorb that emptiness
Until it's filled with nothing, and then nothingness

Fill it with wonder. Fill it with joy.
Come out to the world. Don't be coy.
Take small steps. The danger's not fake.
For growth to occur, there's a chance it'll break.

If you can get over the fear - and that's a big 'if', it's true
Then this fragile mind has some growing to do

Mind in anger

I've never seen a man change their mind in anger
Not while they're screaming 'hang him' and 'hang her'
If they hate your message *and* they hate your guts
Do you think they'll ever admit to being a klutz?
Because when they remember the argument on their own
They wont remember the message, just remember your tone
Unless of course, they have thought of some sort of retort
And then they'll be eager to re-enter the verbal tennis court
Only focused on serving you up on a platter
Without being focussed on the substance of the matter
Then you're back-and forth, forth-and-back again
Without any actions of respect or refrain

So, here's what I'm not saying. That you'll be able to do this all the time.
That you can change without delaying and spin your heart on a dime.
Of course you are passionate, of course you care.
There may be more than feelings on the line here and there.
You will of course believe in the certainty of your case.
Just remember that your cause of disagreement has a face.

It may not be nice to have to admit
But this thought is one you'll have to permit
If you want to change a mind
I think you'll do well to find
That the source of words which seem to appal?
That person is still human after all
I've never seen a man change is mind in anger, but I have instead found this:
That it may not happen as often as I wish, but I have seen him change in kindness.

The decision is made

Life is on hold

And feeling are cold

You have to be bold

'til a decision is made

You'll start to stress

Just do you best! 

You can do nothing less

'til a decision is made

So hang on tight

Stay up all night

The future's not bright

'til a decision is made

The time has come

What must be done

Has just begun

'til a decision is made

You're nearly there too

You wont have much to do

If you just choose

As a decision is made

See, now, isn't this so much better

So much freer with every letter

You'l be glad it's over, even if you regret the

Time that a decision was made

Inspired by the blog post of a friend - https://geoxymorons.wordpress.com/2016/11/20/day-one-decisions/

I am not done

I lay dying.
I should have been laid dead. But I lay dying.
I saw Death beside me. I saw her outstretched hand.
She did not force the handshake.
She never normally needed to.
Most accepted it willingly, grasping for her fingers like a child grasping for their mother.
Some, of stronger heart, raised their hand slowly. Controlling the ascent but always determined. They always sped up the last couple inches though.

My hand, by contrast, was forced rigidly into my side,
(Albeit grasped in a fist, to resist temptation).
Death, well, she didn't do anything.
Except wait.
For she had all the time.

I announced to the unlistening world:
"There is a contract.
I do not do this for comfort.
I do not do this for power.
I do this because it needs to be done.
The world would take me.
And I would gladly rest.
But for the fact that I am not done."

Though the world didn't listen, Death stood stoic.
She nodded with minimal movement.
The hand withdrew, and she did not.
She would always be there. Until I was done.
There could be no hesitation.
There could be no doubt.

I started my longest journey, with Death as my constant companion.



http://imgur.com/gallery/6X0s9

Nurture me

I'm a seed, nuture me
So I can grow to a tree
Take my place in forestry
And start to develop properly
As I begin grow into my property
Because when I wake each day I see
This place I live and rest my head sleepily
While I may never define this place formally
As the one in which I form my ideas creatively
I have no doubt the influence it has subconsciously
That we can only ever be defined from our memories
Which can never be created fully independently
From our surroundings and also our inventory
We must realise, what helps us individually
To grow into something so meaningfully
That we must try to cut away externally
(Even if we only do it occasionally)
Gives us space to expand regularly
Beyond our current personality
And into what we aim to be
A tree full with greenery
That grows happily

A lot of love to Popcorn by the Solillaquists of Sound for inspiration for this one http://genius.com/Solillaquists-of-sound-popcorn-lyrics

Lament of the voter

This is the lament of the voter, let me be bold
To experience this just once, before I am old

I don't want to vote out of fear
I don't want to vote out of fear
I don't want to have to vote cause I'm scared if I don't
That I'll be persecuted now and here

I don't want to vote out of fear

I have to say that it does seem recently
Only a lesser of two evils choice has been given me
And it may seem feeble but a vote for less evil
Is one that fails to inspire me

I don't want to vote out of fear

I don't want to have to chose between my heart and my health
Take my principals and put them up on a shelf
So I can hold close my nose so that (as everyone knows)
I can vote for someone I don't agree with myself

I don't want to vote out of fear

You're given two options, a yay or a nay
No reservations or nuance you can display
But we promise we do, next time a vote comes through
You can make a totally free choice on that day.

I don't want to vote out of fear

I get it, I swear, I understand
The last few votes that happened to be planned
It was really vital that I voted right this cycle
It just seems all the ones before had similar stands

I don't want to vote out of fear

It may be I'm entitled, but let it so be
Fear is never my choice frequency
It may be a crime, but I swear that next time
I'm just going to vote for me

I don't want to vote out of fear

Politics of fear be damned.
Let us vote honest.
Let them not scare us anymore.
We are the people.
We are the power.
We are the voters.

So, what will you chose?

Time

Tick Tock Tick Tock
Quickly clicks the clock
Millis Seconds Hours Days
Till our ending ways

Time is passing, Never lasting
Speeding fast forever asking
What you're doing, Why you're waiting
Should be pursuing not procrastinating
With every falling grain of sand
Spilling onto barren land
As dust turns to rusty crust
Do whatever you must
Time is running away
To your final day

Tick Tock Tick Tock
Quickly clicks the clock
Millis Seconds Hours Days
Till our ending ways

Time is a resource, of course

One to increase by thought or force

Don't be caught into other thinking

Or your mind will be sinking

Into panic and anxiety

Will steal your time quietly
You need to work in this fight

Create all time day and night

Realise time is yours to use
Lest it be yours to lose

Tick Tock Tick Tock
Quickly clicks the clock
Millis Seconds Hours Days
Till our ending ways

Time is fluid. Time flows
Where it goes, man, no one really knows
But listen to me, and listen well
If you try to fight time you'll go through hell
Just let it happen, fall wherever it chooses
You'll catch it in moment, drop it in snoozes
But don't worry, man, and don't be so downbeat
You'll find the time once you find your feet
Don't be so arrogant to think you have control
Or so much pride you'll never go for a stroll
Embrace time, and the fact it does what it will
So come walk with me, we've time to kill.

Faff 'til noon

[Verse 1]

Back to this street where we began

Feeling you could have left something, you know

Yeah we're not feeling good

Picking up things you shouldn't need

It looks like the end of the trip as we know

As your bag is unfurled

Back to this street where we began

Feeling we could have left, we should, we can

[Pre-Chorus]

Stuck in this place we're caught by gloom

Into a room where it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

And we know that we could be and we know that we should

And you know that you want to leave too

[Chorus]

'Cause it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

And you said that we could leave soon

We're ready to leave and want to

We're feeling we should, you've just one thing to do

When it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

You said that we could leave soon

We're ready to leave and want to

We're feeling we should 

[Verse 2]

Back to this street, down to your feet

Losing your shoes and we're turning our cheek 

We don't want to be mean.

Back to this place so we choose to say

"Man, it feels like we've been this way"

Now we wont ever be mean

[Bridge]

Back to this street, back to this place

Back to this, soon it will start again, hey

Back to this, soon it will start again

[Chorus]

'Cause it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

And you said that we could leave soon

We're ready to leave and want to

We're feeling we should, you've just one thing to do

When it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

You said that we could leave soon

We're ready to leave and want to

We're feeling we should 

When it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

You said that we could leave soon

We're ready to leave and want to

We're feeling we should 

When it's nine and you'll faff 'til noon

Lovingly ripped off "Nine in th Faternoon" by Panic! at the disco

Content.

Are contentment and boredom synonyms?
I mean this question only honestly
I'm going to take charge, go out on a limb
And say the answer is no. Well, mostly
There's no doubt overlap twixt these cases
When we no longer have drive or desire
Satisfied we have run enough races
With no need to keep pushing on higher
But I can be content about one thing
Allowing me to finish and move on
Boredom is absolutely engulfing
The most self destructive phenomenon

Without contentment, I'd never progress
With boredom I get caught in the process

Enjoy the ride

"Ladies and Gentleman. Please be ready.
The ride is about to begin.
Get ready for the world to move by fast
Because none of you are strapped in"

I've heard it said, that life is the journey
That was the type of mantra that would never concern me
Because we would try to strip it down to the core
Like - well then what on Earth are we travelling for?

Well let me tell you, plain and true.
That I, quite frankly, have no clue.
I've quizzed the navigator, asked the driver
I've talked to the world 'til I'm out of saliva
We've gone in circles at least seventy times
Life's given us lemons, but also plenty limes
I'm fairly sure we're moving, but no idea where
The passengers around me all seem prepared
But they keep on changing and switching seats
It just seems strange to travel on repeat

So here's what I think is actually the case
Life's not a journey, nor is it a race
While certificates are great to show what you've done
It doesn't make you better than someone with none
We are not competing. There is no "You tried".
There is simply you, 'til the day you've died.

Life is. And every moment, from beginning to end
Should not be a day for playing the greatest game of pretend

You don't know what's happening, nor do I.
Go find the questions, and just enjoy the 'why'
Be amazed at the world, both external and inside
But mostly, my friend, enjoy this ride.


Obvious tribute to Bill Hicks is needed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgzQuE1pR1w

Were I to give a talk in schools

Being an adult is hard.
Mostly, because you never get a welcome card.

There's never instructions, in pencil or pen
On what to do or who to befriend.

You know that stupid question adults always want to ask?
What do you want to do when you grow up and leave class?
Here's a secret to take with you wherever you go.
Most of them are asking because they don't know.

We all end up in a job, a profession, a career.
But most of us have no clue how we ended up here.
But if it's fairly stable, and not too boring: then, to our shame
We keep at it - as long as it leaves some time to play games

Then, most of those adults stick at that one thing.
We forget how to dance, how to act, how to sing.
Don't get me wrong, we get really, really good at that thing we try.
People make spreadsheets that could cover the whole sky.
They've made numbers spring and contort into shapes
They've written so many notes trees flee in their wake.

But they grow up into one thing, and one thing alone
So here's a note for you all to put on your phone.

Don't grow up into one thing. Grow up into many.
Take every chance that life gives you, if it gives you any.
You will grow and develop, way past adulthood.
You'll keep learning forever, as every person should.

A good lad

You think you're great mate, acting all aggro?
Turning up late and sat to chat in the back row?
Slave to no man they've never got your attention
Even though you know you'll just end up in detention
For ragging on and attacking the kids sat in the front
Who are just trying to learn you colossal cu....

Le'ts take a step back.
Write this message to the letter
This kind of attack
Is never gonna make things better

The cycle of profanity, a cycle of aggression
That's a very classical form of lesson
You've learnt it well, you've taken notes
It gripped you as you gripped kids by their throats

Now you're defensive
You know that you're it the wrong
But you don't get pensive
You just lash out at the throng

I don't know your past. You don't know your future
If you keep going this way there'll be wounds to suture
Events have led you to this place in life
Likely hardship, certainly strife

You must learn empathy. You must learn it quick.
That way you'll learn how not to be a dick.
The further you  go on this path on the ground
The harder you'll ever find it to turn back around...

Kindness

I always have two lungfuls of air

To give away at a moments notice.

That if anyone should care

I know that I can gift this.

I waste so much of every day

Spend so much time between living

That I will not miss a chance to say

A moment is gained by giving.

In exchange for my time, of course

You must make sure it is returned

By spending some seconds of yours

So that together, we have learned.

Do not feel bad, do not feel regret

If you ever just need five minutes of mine

Because the time will come, I bet

When another friend will need the favour in kind

So take my words, but first my ear

And let all you need go loose

So that I, just by standing here

Can give you a little boost.

A celesteal quest

I saw an old man, yelling to a crowd
For his age, he seemed strong and proud
He shivered with energy, full of fight
Though his tone throughout was only polite

He told terrific tales, beyond that sanity would venture
Yet the gathered held breath to learn the next adventure
He'd fought off Death, lost his Earthy brace
And began his soliloquy on a sojourn to space


Though the other stories made him seem off his trolley
This venture he claimed as his greatest folly
You see - he did not go alone, but in fact brought guests
Distinguished too, as he was a gentleman and no less

Logically, he deduced the most cultured souls
From history, fiction, and long lost scrolls
Dr Livingston, first, the great adventurer and gentleman
Arthur Dent for the resourcefulness and creative invention

The Mad Hatter as tailor, caterer, and talker galore
Captain Jean Luc Picard to lead as the exhibition core
A gallant crew, they reached their goal with ease
Exuberant with joy, they sank to their knees

Proceeded, as you do, to lay out a table and chairs
With a fine chequered cloth they had previously prepared
Silver knives with scrumptious scones, clotted cream
A flat-pack butler brought saucers and china cups to the scene

At that point, barely able to hide glee
They'd brought out the finest Earl Grey tea
It was then realised an error to test their mettle
They had everything they needed, minus the kettle

For such refined beings to lack a proper brew
Was a torturous trial they might not make through
Nothing would cause the more shame, nor more regret
Than so fantastic a breach of core etiquette

The Hatter insisted, they should not panic
That one would appear, for such fanatics
Between them they had such faith and belief
The universe would comply and solve their grief

Arthur insisted, though it was impossible, they should try
The Captain wanted to make it so with a cry
The Dr. said, it should work, he'd presume
The old man said this was when he started to fume

It was his job, his duty, to provide the crockery
But such lack of logic was simply a mockery
The others scoffed, and began to yell and shout
Only Russell's teapot, could form such a burden of doubt


The old man paused, the crowd held their breath
The philosopher here who had conquered death
Announced the teapot indeed formed, and raised the roof
When he unveiled there and then the burden of his proof



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%27s_teapot

The delicate story of a simple neanderthal fellow

Fire hot. 

Fire tall. 

Hot tall fire swallows all. 

Flickers bright. 

Flicker long. 

Bright long flickers dance in song. 

See it glisten. 

See it spark. 

See the way it lights the dark. 

Growing fast. 

Growing bright. 

Growing darkness into light. 

... 

Fire gone. 

Wood is cold. 

Cold dark wood is sad to hold...

Chaos

The smallest stutter
The smallest change
The wings that flutter
Cause all that's strange

You want to predict?
To even estimate?
Here's my edict:
Leave it to fate.

See while all in this universe is indeed indicated by intellectual equations
And all attempts to adjudicate on outcomes are actuating amply
Mostly, I must make clear the fatal flaws in such fanatic infatuations
For chaos, that brilliant beast behaves beautifully but bastardy

So let's stop. Here's the scientific view
That small initial starting variations
Cause the final outcome to dramatically skew
Nullifying and causing potential contraindication

Chaos.

It's not purely random.
It's merely a fact of what is.
That life isn't easy.
We can't always know what's going to happen.
But even then. Nothing escapes life's laws.
Even chaos is trapped by the cold chains of the universe's equations.
Even in madness, there are rules.
Even through disorder, we can predict.

It's just very, very hard.....

Trochees are tricky

Simply to me, I am an iamb type man
Trochees tricky to breed from the pen in my hand
Stifles all words, blocks this poet's progress
I find absurd, how much pain and duress
Spews from metres like this
Though I don't try to dis
It's clearly inferior
This poetic mirror
Reflects that fact, I wont take back
Any accusation, it's an actual attack
On what I do perceive
To be just a reprieve
From more righteous type flows
And more elegant prose
Trochees are tricky. I am an iamb man
Simpler to breed from the pen in my hand

Ultimate is not

I heard a tail from a marvellous man
Telling me "Ultimate is" and "Ultimate can"
I want to add a riposte where he may have erred and forgot
Let me add my lot to emphasise what Ultimate is not.

Ultimate is not what you imagined initially
The summation of students sauntering hippy-ly
Much more it is moulded of athletes competing
Jumping and throwing and diving and sprinting.

Ultimate is not a game for canines though we aren't exclusive
Any human  we find who wishes to join can pursue this
We've an open division, for all to enjoy
We also play mixed - half girl and half boy

A women's division to cap off this list
Except for masters, to prove we're not ageist
Whatever you play, you can compete to the A-list
Reach highlight reels that'll make you famous.

Ultimate is not easy to start, but it is to improve
If you have the heart and you find your groove
We all started struggling, trying to find feet
By drilling and training until it's time to compete.

Ultimate is not to be written off, not 'til you've seen
What can be achieved with plastic and dreams
Until you understand that it's more than the sport
It's the community and heart that holds this fort.

Ultimate is not like anything that you've known
Until you see your own first smooth disc thrown
There's a very good reason your friend got hooked
And is playing with plastic every time that you've looked.

Ultimate is not easy. Ultimate is not for wimps
It is not played  by dogs or cats or chimps
It's played by people. It's played with respect
This disc-sport is catching, and bound to infect.

Ultimate is not something I can really take lightly
Yes, the name's stupid, I take the jokes politely
But it repays effort and kindness like nothing else I do
Ultimate *is* for me. Don't just assume Ultimate is not for you


Poem referenced in first line is by Chris 'Jaff' Martin, and can be found here - 
https://soundcloud.com/abolish-minutes/ultimate-is

(Being published early due to printing issues)

Olympics

Let me say right now, I love the Olympics
Just give me a chance to say why, real quick

That we should definitely care that it's not fair
On all the locals who happen to live there
That corruption is present in the organisation
But let's instead focus on athletic participation

Yes, it's fantastic inspiring and all that
How quickly a human can cycle round a track
There's real beauty and elegance and it's really cool
How they swim and dive into an oversized pool
Athletes perform feats that astound and amaze
A treat to repeat for weeks and days

And trust me, I know, more than you'd expect
What athletes give up the achieve these effects
I'm way way behind, but I've been given a glimpse
Of the cost to be paid to stand on the plinths
The dedication required, the sacrifice needed
The tears they've shed, the blood they've bleeded
The hours the days to advance through the fold
All just to play for a chance at the gold

I do love that. I admire it so very much.
But, that isn't the only thing to love as such.

The Olympics is one of the only times, we as a nation
Get to admire the huge range of innovation
That comes from every corner of our little globe
We have to respect every costume, kit, and robe
On our screens, for just a short little while
Costumes are creative, accents versatile
Through this competition, we see our rivals
New respect is formed, makes its arrival
It's far from the norm, but certainly nice
So enjoy it while it lasts - that's my advice.

The Next Era

It finally happened. The end of the world.
Well, take my hand.
Join me, as we enter the next era of humanity...

I not gonna pretend it's gonna have as many comforts
It's gonna take some heart, gonna take some guts
We've gotta learn from the mistakes we made
As humanity's errors begin to pale and fade

We've been granted a reprieve
No time to sit and grieve
Time to earn our stay
Before we're sent on our way

No longer must we assume our place on this Earth is given
Set aside the frivolities friend, it's time to get livin'!
Take the good we've learnt - about physique and diet
While letting our knowledge of weaponry grow quiet

We were the great toolmakers
Now those same tools would break us
We must care how talents will flower
With our knowledge comes our power

There will be missteps - we may stutter and fall
Even through this, we're still human after all
But did it really take a new Earth to realise?
How to see this planet through different eyes.

Written listening to one of my favourite tracks, about planetary invaders to Earth, set to a gospelesque backing track - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4swHiQDMQgw

How a comeback starts

You frown, you're down.

They wear your crown.

Not beaten, no defeating

Time to get even...

We are strong and we are smart

This is how a comeback starts

Play with grit and play with heart

This is how a comeback starts

We will not lay down and die

We are strong I tell no lie

Let us yell and let us cry

We will win, here here is why

We are strong and we are smart

This is how a comeback starts

Play with grit and play with heart

This is how a comeback starts

We will make them run with fear

We will make them run from here

Watch them quake as we come near

When we play well we have no peer

We are strong and we are smart

This is how a comeback starts

Play with grit and play with heart

This is how a comeback starts

Victory is in our sights

Only if we play with might

We win in day we win in night

Go from here and cause them fright

We are strong and we are smart

This is how a comeback starts

Play with grit and play with heart

This is how a comeback starts

We are strong and we are smart

This is how a comeback starts

Play with grit and play with heart

This is how a comeback starts

I've been wanting to write a hype up rhyme for frisbee for a while now. I reckon this one will do nicely.

Fate

Not everything in life is in your hands.
Anything can upset the best laid plans.
It sucks. I can say nothing more.
When life pushes you through a certain door.

For most of life, you feel in control.
That you can decide if you reach your goal.
The only thing standing in the way is us.
As long as we work hard it'll be no fuss.

And then, it breaks. The illusion fades.
Effort matters, but it's just an aid.
Nothing can stand against the mechanism of life.
Not strength nor sadness, not calm nor strife.

It can be devastating, to the utmost degree.
It hurts. But that there is reality.
So, what next, dear fellow and friend.
Do we just accept life, and make that the end?

Rise. Rise together, or rise alone.
But rise to meet the fate you've been thrown.
Life will have its way. It will make it's choice.
But so must you. Now find your voice.

Written after a particularly eventful day.

Whispers

It's how it all started.

The voices.

In the twilight hour, they whispered.

We heard them at the crossing.

Through a veil.

They gave advice we needed to hear at the time.

The advice was often simple.

Always sincere.

Time to wake up. Talk to her. Remember to breath.

They guided us in a way.

We thought forwards.

And not every step on the road is hard.

Until it becomes hard.

That step.

The voices wavered, as they always did.

A life with twilight speech

The whispers.

They don't take kindly to being ignored.

The world expects much.

But not them.

And never the people they drive.

The verdict.

Everyone wants to feel, in some way, like their thoughts matter
They want to be pitched ideas as a worthy batter
What I didn't want, what I never wanted, was this
To decide whether to cast a man's soul to the abyss

I was selected for jury, and drawn to do duty
The desire to do my responsibility flew through me
I was chosen as an equal, and now within my hands
I hold the soul of a most guilty man

I've no doubt that he did it. His victims' blood runs clear
The most open and shut case they've seen this year
The rest looked at me, shocked as I hesitate
In delivering the verdict to the official of state

You see the death penalty is still a reality to me
Part of the law of the land of the home of the free
Yes this man is bad. Yes he took a man's life
And I tell myself it's different, because I don't hold the knife.

That he looked in their eyes and knew what he did
That his victim had a wife. The victim had a kid
I try to make this repulsion to the man on the stand
Give the verdict that's needed as I clench my hand

I would like to claim, as in so many cases
That the circumstances form an uncertain basis
On which to lay enough grounds to burst out and shout
"Your honour, I claim to have reasonable doubt"

I don't have such a backbone on which to rest
Instead I face a very different test
To court holds its breath, in this theatre of the absurd
Simply to cause the death of a man, by saying a word

I've waited long enough. Caused enough anguish to all.
The state is waiting for me to make my call.
As head juror. As citizen. As someone far from perfect.
I clear my throat, and I give my verdict.

The launch

It's time.

Oh it would have been so easy.
You could have stayed still.
But no.
You, oh noble beast. You live for a thrill.

And so it begins. Slowly. The count.
You inhale. Ten.
This is it. What everything has led to.
The thing that has filled your dreams so often.

Nine. You shudder. Every last muscle.
You anticipate.
Even in this step into the unknown.
This step into fate. Eight.

You will now be propelled through time.
You will experience heaven.
This World is now to small.
It is your fence. Seven.

Six. You can feel your heart.
You can feel fully alive.
Now is the moment.
Now is the moment. Five.

Some would ask why?
What is this? Four.
You simply respond.
So I can be Three.

This moment is all.
All I ever want Two.
Before me is every wall.
I will burst through.

They doubted me.
With good reason.
It was impossible.
It still is. One.

Ladies and gentleman.
We have lift off.


Written freeform while listening to https://astrangelyisolatedplace.bandcamp.com/track/void

On Brexit

Dear everyone disheartened by this: please don't be.
Now, more than ever, we need to have courage.
Now, more than ever, we need to have strength.

For so long, we have simply resorted to fear to make our case.
Fear of the man next door, fear of the unknown.
And believe it or not, this makes people scared.

So now, as we face the unknown, we can not be frightened.
One decision is made. But other than that, everything is on the table.
The road ahead need not be that which we assume.

So, to those who voted for the first time, thank you.

Britain came out in such great force yesterday
So we need you to not be scared. To not be disillusioned. To vote again.

It is the job of those in politics to make this new message hopeful.
That we are not just a community of an island, but of a world.
To inspire the next generation into a country they want to fight for.

What has happened in the past is unchangeable.
What happens next is up to us.
So please, be strong. We need you.

This was written over breakfast on the morning of the Brexit result. After a campaign which saw a lot of young people involved with politics for the first time, I saw a lot of anger and sadness at the result. Some people don't need much to be involved, but I wanted to write something encouraging those who did. To point out why, as difficult as it is, the natural response to give up faith is the one we must not take. Well, in my opinion at least.

90 Years

This poem is lovingly dedicated to my Grandma
She has been around 90 years on this World so far
Brought happiness and joy to many a different face
She takes life and it's challenges with a loving embrace

Because in 1926, the same year as Winnie the Pooh
My Grandma was born all fresh and new
Young and full of promise, so fittingly
They named her simply Rosemary

And like rosemary, she works best with others
As a mentor, as a neighbour, as a partner and lover
She never sees a person as better or worse
Just a future friend with which to converse

I feel lucky, even though I arrived so late
I've spent 23 years with her on Earth to date
That after so much time since that birth year
Both she and I share this world right here

If I start to worry about what the future might bring
I remember, in 1926, we still had an empire and a king
We've been through much turmoil change, it needs not be named
Just that through it all my dear Grandma remained

Whatever challenges life decides to throw my way
Blood flowing in her veins flows in mine today
So I have the power and the passion to persevere
Thanks to those strengths passed on from my Grandma right here

I just want her to know, how grateful I always will be
For the patience growing up she never failed to show me
For the love, and the light, let me just say
Grandma, have a very happy birthday.

Identity

Who am I? Who are you?
What are we? What shall we do?
We've woken up a thousand times, emerged from slumber
Sometimes we wake up smarter, sometimes dumber

But normally, well, how to put this politely?
Day by day we change ever so slightly
We are constantly changing, such is our nature
Sometime change is small, sometimes an adventure

But why? Why do we change, and why does it matter?
It's important because without it, life would be flatter
There would be fewer bumps, and far less noise
Eternally living as girls and boys

But there's another thing to find far more interesting
Which gives a conscience far more testing
Some people in life have pride and certainty
In their current state and personality

But honestly? We'll be different tomorrow
Different things will cause laughter and sorrow
In areas of life we'd never even considered
New experiences packed up and delivered

We'd tackle new problems in very different ways
If we were older or younger by just a few days
So what I'm wondering, with confusion but no rage
What does it mean to 'be yourself', in this day and age?

Sage Advice

"I was a lot more comfortable being vulnerable and open
When I was younger, and it wasn't clear if I was or wasn't joking..." - Sage Francis

It can be a struggle. To be open and honest.
So despite the evidence, I'll say that I'm for this.
When I say despite the evidence, I mean that sincerely,
Because I know for a fact that sincerity fears me.

I, like many others of my generation and age
Will stick to some conventions like tears to a rage
Although we're trying to shake them off, they just wont leave
Symptomatic of the very sickness from which we seek reprieve

Although we all have our little self-depreciation lines
Then shake them off jokingly, say that it's fine
Before we can notice, while enjoying the effect
It's turned into the knock-me-down stand-up set

But it's never serious, oh don't be silly
It's just a joke, and man these jokes kill me
Little by little, eating away at our pride
Until the jokes are as hollow as we feel inside

For me, these little jokes that I used to invent
Were the only times I'd ever get a compliment
So I'd repeat my own humiliation, as it carved the way
For the fact I still feel awkward getting complimented today

Please, if you are struggling, make me aware.
And tell me sincerely, so that I can show care
Be happy when you're happy, don't force a fake smile
Leaving people wondering what you're feeling all the while

No matter who you are, what gender, what age
Please pay attention to those words from a Sage

If you really want to know what it's like being open and honest, please listen to Make 'em Purr by Sage Francis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0q0zAREm5U

Immortality in a Can

Immortality in a Can
Immortality in a Can
Grab it while you can
Immortality in a Can

You know what they say:
Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

Man, I just took this deal, and I feel great
Just popped now fate awaits my infinity sell by date
To satiate my thirst
I never have to deal with the worst
I get live forever as the eternal man
And I owe it all to Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

Ten years on and I'm still feeling strong

Since then I've taken life head on

I'm still feeling great, my body is spry

I have a love of life my friends can't deny

I could do this forever, or that's the plan

And I owe it all to Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

Twenty years past and I'm still going

Even though my friends' age is showing

I've no wrinkles, either in skin or life

I've settled down with a trophy wife

She's got a bump, on the way a little man

And I owe it all to Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

Fifty years on, and I admit it's been strange

I've experienced a lot of life's odd range

There's been ups and downs, now my kid is grown

My wife's gone on too, so I'm left alone

I'm still fine though, and I'm still a fan

And all I owe to Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

One hundred years on, I just buried my son

I've attended a thousand funerals if I've attended one

I'm stuck on this world, the Earth has moved

I'm a relic now, I'm out of my groove

I'm viewed as an ignorant, out-of-touch man

All thanks, once again, to Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

One thousand years on, yes I'm still here

I've tried to find purpose, I've tried to disappear

It's tough now though, to go off the grid

I'm known worldwide for what I once did

A morality lesson you learn as soon as you can

For that indulgence of Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

Ten thousand years on and the world is gone

It's barren, we did well to last so long

Million year gone and it's still the same

Many million years gone and it's still the same

I lost count long ago, just as I lost any plan

Yet still I go on, Immortality in a Can

Once you pop you
Just
Can't
Stop...

I'm not saying I didn't experience things of worth
I experienced much death, but also birth
But those golden moments, they weren't worth the trade
Nothing good happened to those death betrayed
And I know death is scary, but to be the eternal man?
Forever is a long long time. So would you take Immortality in a Can?

Voting

Pay attention. Listen up.
I'm going to try to explain something difficult.

Democracy.

No, wait! Don't go. I swear, I'll try to make it quick.

See, Democracy, to me, is still radical.
And I don't mean radical like skateboards,
    I don't mean radical like Guitar Hero.
I mean radical like revolutions are radical.

Because the idea that every single person has a valid opinion
And the following conclusion, that we have to listen to those opinions
That the collective will of every Jack, Tom and Harry, of every Jill, Beth, and Hannah
That all of us deserve a say in how our country is run.
That, to me, is radical.

Do you ever stop to think how unpopular that idea was to the ruling classes?

Nowadays, we have made democracy dull.
We have sanitised it beyond belief, made it boring.
It is carried out with pencils and paper in churches and schools.
Usually on a Thursday.

Please, don't be fooled.
Instead, please join me.

Because, I subscribe to this radical notion of democracy.
The idea that everyone's opinions matter is one I hold dear,
And yes, that includes you. That certainly and always includes you.

Just as you wouldn't let someone else take away your voice,
Please don't let apathy, or perceived insignificance steal it either.
For you are significant. For your voice matters.
But only if you let it.

What your voice says? That's up to you.

The deadline is June 7th.
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Parents

Sometime when the world deals a blow and has dazed us
It's good to think back to the parents who raised us
Your mothers gave birth, as mothers have to do
She went through great pain just to give birth to you

Then growing up, they dealt with all your palaver
Not just sibling fights, or having the floor be lava
Those times when you were small, so tender and weak
When you were born you were so fragile and meek

Though they must have been scared, they still stayed and tried
Every parent has that scare when they think their child has died
Just a little too cold when the child wakes up in the morning
Or when everything suddenly goes quiet with no warning

They've cared for you as they cared for their spouse
Once they left you on your own for the first time in the house
And, still remembering the first time you went to A&E
Still allowed you to become little by little more free

So just remember, given what your parents went through
That the only reason they did any of that, was for you
From before you were breathing, right up to now
So if your a parent, take a well deserved bow



Editorial Note: This is written to be generic, but also to reflect my own experience of my parents. I'm aware there's people who grow up with single parents (who are a whole other branch of amazing) or with non-birth parents, etc.. Regardless, most of you grew up with someone whom, even if you didn't always see eye to eye, cared for you when you were young and got scared when you did something dangerous. This is dedicated to them.

A Bad Day

If you're having a bad day, this a message for you
Written on a letter, sealed with love and glue
For you to open, whenever it's a struggle to get through
This bad day is one we're both gonna beat black and blue

...
...

Dear friend in the wilderness. Dear voice in the mist
Sometimes it seems like our fate has been kissed
Days when we're not tired and sick, days when all will go well
But this is dedicated to those days when you go through hell

Here's a fact. You've been through plenty of struggles in your life thus far
These struggles don't make us stronger or weaker. They make us who we are
I can say for sure, when this day is finally through

You're going to emerge as a different you

Let me say something else, no matter what challenge you face
We all have reasons to be setback in the human race
The reason can be clear, something we can see touch and feel
Other times it's not. Rest assured that this battle's still real

When all is done and the dust can finally settle
Please appreciate the toughness and strength of your mettle
It's the challenges of life that make it great
It's often struggles that make us remember the date

You're someone who has woken up, and somehow always found a way
To have a 100% hit-rate of surviving each day
Then just consider this related fact to be so true
That no bad day of yet has ever survived you

The famous girl

She had that beauty which came from getting up an hour earlier than the sun
And staring endlessly into the mirror willing herself through the next day
Even with a sense of anxious pride about who she was and what she'd done
There was only one small part of her that had never wished this life away

No, it was not those startling clear blue eyes, clouded windows to a troubled soul
Nor was it those carefully shaved legs which had walked through a thousand dreams
It was the voice inside that let her know this was her life, this was her goal
She'd deserved the adoration, and every one of her fans' desperate screams

Finally, the world was proclaiming her The Star she'd always wished in her heart
She'd been raised up high for the world to see and adore entirely
She'd never have to worry about loneliness, or the price of her shopping cart
She could shape this reality to however she wished it to be

Taking a deep breath, she made the voice inside slowly silence, then subside
Knowing that overconfidence was a strong bug by which to be bitten
She'd taken a step, when the first embers of her fame had been realised
She got out the well-worn, tear-stained letter she'd written

"Dear Star, for that's who I know you'll be and what you are
Please remember, when life is going far too much your way
That's not just who you are. You're more than a superstar
No matter how fantastic, no matter how glamourous the day

You are me, the girl sat here full of dreams and wishes
You were the daughter of parents who gave you their all
Though you may one day be served as one of high society's great dishes
Please remember that both gravity and pride can make stars fall

It is not wrong to be liked. It is not wrong for effort to meet reward
Just remember that whatever else, you are still you. Signed lovingly, you!"
She'd taken these words with as much care as she could afford
After all, she was The Star, and it was all she could ever do.



Inspiration from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UznHTBZIa8E and the very wonderful comic, "The Wicked + The Divine"

We're Animals

Sometimes I like to say
Let's go wild and adventure
So lets go to our baser nature
And be animalistic in how we play

Yet

I don't wanna be a jellyfish
     'cause without needing to wish
        you can already see right through me
I don't wanna be a zebra neither
     'cause I don't need ya
          to spend that much time crossing me

I don't wanna be a lion
     I'm not lyin'
          I don't wanna have that much pride
I don't wanna be an armadillo
     Couldn't be your pillow
         I just wanna be right there by your side

I don't wanna be a bat
     Or a rat or a cat
         Or anything else in fact than what you see
I don't wanna be a tortoise
     Or a porpoise
           Or anything other than you and me

I don't wanna defend
    The fact I wanna to spend
          Every second at your beck and call
In the end,
    Let's not pretend
         We're anything but animals after all

       

Fever

It's funny, I still see the same things
I still know red is not blue
The morning bluebirds still sing

And yet, somehow, it's twisted
While still being old, not new
As if my brain itself has misted

I can still chat and converse
With a throat that's dry
As I pretend the reverse

Its a flaw so clear, yet so weird
That the world through my eyes
Could be so easily smeared


This poem was written indeed with a slight fever. If it makes less sense than usual, blame the fever. If it makes more sense, well, let's just call it sheer chance. I not prepared to take the commitment it requires to have fever be my muse.

Distracted

I'm sorry, can you please repeat for me
I swear that I was paying attention
The fact is I was temporarily
Thinking up a brand new life invention

It would be small, light and easy to hold
Be cheap enough every person could buy
Work in high temperatures and in the cold
Keep working until the day that you die

So it's robust and tough and versatile
Now I hear you ask "what does it do?"
I was on the verge of that insight while
I was distracted by listening to you

So, again, could you repeat what you said?
And I'll do my best to ignore my head.

Look at me now

Look at me now, I've got all of my limbs
I've got a thin physique, cause I'm kinda slim
I've glasses to correct my slighted eyesight
Where I live is neither too dark or too bright

I've a house to shelter in in bad weather
My parents are in love and still together
They cared for me when I was feelin' poorly
Saved money for the life that I 'ad before me

I've had a fondness for runnin' an' exercise
I'm surrounded by folk who're kind an' wise
I've never been tempted in starting to drink
I've always been allowed to create and think

I've no real addiction, no real vice
When I've struggled I've got great advice
While all the above're part of me
None of 'em define my personality

I've been gifted, in such a big fashion
That I've been allowed to pursue ideas an' passion
I must remain humble, deal with issues patiently
Cause I've been given such privilege in life to be me

Creating poetry

You can say things that sound awful smart. I know you can, because you are smart.
But all of us get scared and fearful  if someone looks at us too closely.

The issue is, everything we write can sounds dumb

If it's analysed, repeated, turned over and stared at long enough

You'll pour your heart into something

You''ll create meaning you find profound
Yet still, after a long enough time

You'll see your heart crumble from certainty

Honestly, it's no wonder people are scared

Scared of sharing anything they write

We often are when our hearts are on the line

Because, nine times out of ten, we have slaved

We have worked hard, struggled so

Analysed re-analysed our work

Until, eventually, at around the time you've poured more of your life into a piece than you're publicly willing to admit
That's when your work can seem to cease to mean anything at all

Nearly all art is illusion

Creativity comes from a source

As the artist, you alone know the trail

The map will seem so obvious to you

For those wanting to start and share writing

I give you this simple advice:

We all feel like frauds. Some more than others

But we all remember the first time we shared

It's always the hardest. And the scariest.

Even after practice, even after years, poetry still sounds dumb if you look too long.

But art is not for the long time, it is meant for moments.

And the best way to recapture any moment gone

Is to share it.

Don't you dare

It is not an unheard sadness, for friends to die.
To selfishly leave us stranded down this gravity well
While themselves going on to pursue the next great adventure(tm).

It is uncertain to what extent the departed are aware of the world
What consciousness they retain in their corporal remains
With this certain knowledge of death's uncertainty, here is a claim I can venture:

Funerals aren't held for the dead.
After all,
No corpse has ever said thank you
No cadaver has ever given a final bow
No earthly remains have ever commented wistfully on the excellent selection of words in the final dedication to their lives.

No...

Funerals?
They're for the living.

A chance for those left behind to gather up feelings
Get thought emotion empathy all mashed together
Share with others a show of simple humanity
And honour the one who has left them.

To dress up and look the part of the mourner
To drown in seas of black and tears
To attempt to cement memories of ashes and dust
As though, by wearing the right clothes
By saying the right things
By singing the right songs
And by sharing together in this experience
All can collectively agree the soul is now fully lain to rest.

For the individual:
This is done by acting up your very best
To show, more than anything, that you care
That you would never do anything to disrespect memory
And so we speak in sadness while we dress lovingly in pure darkness

.
.
.

When I die, don't you dare wear black
Don't.
You.
Dare.

While I understand the funeral is for you, and not me,
I must still *insist* on this one thing.

You may play songs I have never listened to
Read from books I have never read
Even bring friends I have never met
For all these I would be open to in life.

But
To dress in a way I actively avoid
To reduce the colour in this world
To indulge in those very clothes
For which sadness smartness and repression are habitual.

No. You don't get that this time.
You don't get the easy way to show you care.
It would not show my memory respect
And I don't think it would feel genuine for anyone there.

When I die, please, please wear rainbows
Drape yourselves in shades and styles of colours and light
For I assure you, it is at this time, more than others
You will feel me trying my best to be there.

I will go, knowing that, just once with certainty
I will have brought a little colour to peoples' lives.

So don't you dare wear black.

Vegan Holla

Holla, Holla, holla at my vegan boy
This is not a song to berate irritate or annoy

And holla, holla, holla at my vegan girl
At the tenacity in giving this philosophy a whirl

Alright, let's remove any preconceptions for a bit
Life does not come with a morality kit
We all decide now how to make our way
Where to make our home, how to make our pay
One daily decision which we make and repeat
Is to choose the food that we cook and eat
Just heed this warning when choosing your diet and food
Of any strongly aligned societal attitudes

So even though I'm afraid I could never really try it
Let me say I will not go at you for your vegan diet
Be it environmental - less carbon in the atmosphere
Be it ethical and mental - wanting no animalian harm or fear
Be it health or wealth - be it pure fussiness
This leads me to a most important point to address
While there is a joke about vegans being loud and obnoxious
I've never encountered one of these folks while conscious

So holla to those who live in a different fashion
Who persue what they do with tenacity and passion

But no holla or shout out to those who bully on repeat
There's really nothing special about eating meat

End of days?

The preacher he screaches at the tops of his tobacco stained lung
"Beware the end of days, whether you are old or young
I'm not sure if you have heard my words before
But we are all dying and the Earth's at war!

Beware the plagues, beware the frogs and especially the locusts
Be aware of this sage, take logs and don't lose your focus
We walk on a knife's edge, about to fall into a chasm
I Talk truth of life and you people bawl twitch and spasm

Can you not see the signs, have you never listened to the news?
This planet is dyin', glisten the truth of our abuse
There's new pestilence, diseases, we're either obese or starving
Oh, the ignorance of the young, is this not somewhat startling?"

Stoic, I stared. I did not intende to be cruel.
Wishing not to mock drive, I had to question fuel.
"Dear sir, much older and more experienced than I
I know not the manner by which we shall die

The wisdom of the ancients are not mine to claim
Yet please take heed of what I say all the same
We are living in our most peaceful era of existence
We've far less war, we've almost slain pestilence

Humanity is global now. We are all kin folk.
We can chat over miles, hell we can cry and joke.
If this is truly to be the way we, as humanity, go
There is no more reasonable end that I know."

Ignorance

An ode, my friends, to those ignorant men,
My brethren in a most global misdeed.
Who show our most prominent flaw when,
We fail to notice love someone seeds.

We unwittingly reject advances,
Unknowingly we stay in solitude.
It's not that we fail to take chances,
It's not that we try to act like a prude.

We are just clueless, and utterly so,
Don't believe love is for the likes of us.
We get regret - when realised - we know
We had a chance at something more than lust.

Please see that our silence means nothing less,
Than us men simply are just that clueless.

A tree in the forest

It stood nobly
Only bowing to the wind
And so, it was respected

Animals were granted access
Gracious for the privilege
They built secure homes

Plants around kept their distance
Do not venture too closely
Was knowledge all knew

Skies flicker
Rains come and go
The tree stands

The proud humans come
Knowing nothing
Of unspoken forest law

Choices

 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost - The Road not taken

 
Oh how I long, dear poet of old
For that problem of which I was told
Two roads in the wood, diverging slowly
Seems so wonderful as to render it holy
Oh, how simple this life could be!

Life, as I learn painfully, is difficult
Bridges are burnt and later rebuilt
Paths are backtracked even while changing
Inconsequential decisions universally ranging
While we spend hours on matching paths

I see the beauty, I really truly do
On reducing the number of paths to two
But the campaign for honesty is here
To reduce the natural anxiety and fear
Of a man with only one difficult decision

Worry not, many-issued person of today!
I'll restate these lines in a more applicable way
A thousand sets of a thousand sets of paths diverged in a thousand cities, and I-
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has still made all the difference.

Credit for this poem naturally goes to Robert Frost - http://www.bartleby.com/119/1.html

Second Language

Often we go through life without even a care
So let's take a moment, to be self-aware
What I do, as I commune poetically
Is possible only because of my vocabulary

Since birth I've been building my bank of words
The meanings and subtleties I've since inferred
That my poetry is a sum of me currently
Simply because to me life was locally lucky

English is my own language, and dominant enough
I've never needed a second way to express stuff
My privilege, my fortune, and in a way, my curse
Is I've never had to learn another way to express verse

As a result, I can be quite nuanced and complex
In a manner of expression which can leave others vexed
'cause I've had a headstart, of my whole life I guess
So when the domain is English I can seem to impress

But now to acknowledge the expense of my lucky 'gift'
I am verbally sparse in every other language to exist
Yet others manage, with such grace and intellect
That their non-nativeness becomes natural to forget

And then

They apologise to me for lacking a little, sometimes
Because their short learning doesn't match my lifetime's
While I have zero expertise in where they come from
They feel so bad for being ever so slightly wrong

So this is a shout out, to those struggling in a second tongue
You are wise beyond years, I'm linguistically young
Never feel ashamed if you ever have to enquire or ask
These verbal tricks of mine are a single language mask

You perfect man

You poor little thing, you impossible soul
You who hold the most difficult goal
That among every human on this decrepit earth
Only you have been perfect since birth

The rest of us mortals, we pale next to you
Engaging in things only you have right to
So clearly only thee, blesséd among all
Have the final say and ultimate call

I've never seen you step over your line
Knowing precise the justness of crime
Always in the right place, exactly the right amount late
With the perfect etiquette for first second and third date

If we differ on an issue, it's always me who is wrong
If we sing different tunes, then I know not the song
I've never seen you admit to losing any sort of debate
About who it's right to love, and whom I must hate

I'm trying to learn from you, I really am
From such an honest and uncorrectable man
You give me such much feedback and also advice
About who I am and why I'm not nice

So accept my sympathy, you poor little thing
About the day to day horrors this earth must bring
For it must give you much stress and cause you much fuss
To live among mortals such as us.

As it occurs to me

Life happens as it occurs to me.
Sometimes, life occurs gently.

Then life is blissful almost wistful running through clouds of mist I'll see each memory as it arrives and feel alive and so
I'll acknowledge the collage of colours life displays knowing that each and every day is just a collection of seconds yet
Each second is my first and life is not trying its worst it's just trying like each of us to get a grip or grasp on everything and anything
Although life is full of stress and somewhat a mess I swear and I declare that more than any other thing existing on this entity we call earth
Life is

Life is what?
It just is.
It exists.
That's the purpose of Life.

The rest of us
We find beauty in that meaning
Distil filter add what is our own and take away from that what we can
An elixir of essence

Then drink my friend
Down
Down to the last drop
Let it infuse with you and become even more you

Life is
We can try to plan or to panic
To fight flight or flounder
To stress savour or strive
To live or to lie
In the end life happens at its own pace
One second per second
As it always has
As it always will

As it occurs to us

Recommended listening with this one - https://carbonbasedlifeforms.bandcamp.com/album/refuge-original-motion-picture-soundtrack

The Man I Knew

The man I knew was full of surprises
Although I saw through all his disguises
He shocked and inspired me every day
Allowed me to develop (in my own special way)

The man I knew, well, he also knew me
We'd share experiences, wherever they'd be
We'd share the world, this man and I
Or how we laughed in times gone by

The man I knew did not come with me though
The man I knew could not follow where I'd go
The man I knew waited, as I developed afar
The man I knew now seems somewhat bizarre

Because the man I knew did not grow in my absence
He kept all my old prejudice and ignorance
Gained no new memories, and stayed quite still
In the manner of the comatose and deathly ill

See, I treasured my time deeply with the man I knew
I spend my time today with another man, quite new
Because though the man I knew doesn't really exist anymore
The man I knew is just the man I was before

Goodbyes

A goodbye can be many things. Yet it is just one word
This is polysemy. From one word, many meanings
Many different responses which can thus be inferred
From a simple goodbye emerges many feelings

"Goodbye Today" is said with closing eyes
An an inevitability in every utterance
The routine sadness is mere inevitability
As it's said with mechanical competence

The goodbye to a hero, that they cannot hear
To an inspiration you may never have met
A person who got you through your darkest year
Though they've gone their legacy is your safety net

Goodbye to a habit you've had for a while
Wishing a life with new habits and motives
Those it may have brought you many a smile
And the impact of its absence will be explosive

The casual goodbye, which later meant much more
A last word you didn't realise would be your last
When you didn't realise what the future had in store
As life has simply moved by you too fast

Goodbye is more versatile than we ever give it credit
We put much burden on the shoulders of this sound
So, until and if we meet again, please don't forget it
How much a goodbye can mean when it's around

This is today

This is today.

You're experiencing it live.

Front row tickets.

Now what will you see....

This is today,

Not yesterday, that's done and over with

No replay, so let's make it different. I saw it first hand

I say, yesterday, is old news. 

This it today,

Not tomorrow, we're not ready yet

We come gracefully towards it soon. But for now

Let's have some grounding in the present

This is today,

Your whole life has been leading here, you know

That hole in your timeline is now filled. It is

Your soul, your flow. Your current.

This is today,

Though I've said this before, it's never the same tone

To strive to understand that in this moment. Only now

Are we alive, to experience today.

A pledge

I pledge to listen more this coming year.

What if I agree with someone on an issue?
I will listen carefully to how we agree, in the hope that they can further my understanding and nuance, and find more wonder in what I already enjoy.

What if someone is passionate about something I am not?
I will listen to understand their passion, either to further it in them, or to elicit it in myself. Just maybe, the spark of a new interest may burn. I will not put someone down for having different interests to myself.

What if we disagree?
I will assume the disagreement is because of a well-thought out structure. I will endeavour to take the same path they did, and understand their journey.

What if their ideas are dangerous?
I will seek to understand, before I seek to marginalise. Seek to help enlighten them, before I seek to blind them. It is possible I am wrong.

What if they're bored of me?
I will give people polite opportunities to leave, if I can. I will accept that, on the whole, I am bad at reading signals, and should always allow people a chance to get away.

And what if I'm bored?
I will seek to find interest, and something to spark mutual energy.

Mostly, I will try to find the best in people. Find why they live their lives, as they obviously live one I do not.

I will try.

For that is all I can do.