Dear Harry in ten years

Dear Harry in ten years,

How are you doing? I hope you didn't change your name

Or, if you did, that a forwarding address means this will find you all the same

I wanted to check in with you, after all, it's been a while

Is your motto still to try to be someone you could talk to with a smile?

Or has another song lyric taken its place?

Have you found a lyricist more talented than Aes?

Are you still writing poetry? I've been going seven straight years.

Did you finally build up courage to send it to someone and ignore your fears?

What about work? If you're like me know, you'll hate being asked

But right now I'm on the precipice, being forced to leap at last

I've been static I know, while still moving hard.

I could identify every part of Oxford you'd find on a postcard

I've spent many years here, it feels like a home

I don't know if I want to settle or just want to roam

Right now, between frisbee and work, I've been delayed in seeing friends

I hope that you got around to meeting them again in the end

Everyone around me seems to be getting married and becoming mums or dads

It seems like something nice, but from a distance most things seem rad

Right now I feel under a lot of stress, fairly unable to take risks

I've had to stay at home a lot and give up on the disc

Though I feel I wouldn't trade the time I spent playing with the best

I wont lie that it still felt good at times to be having a little rest

Now, I want to return, but I've been going to the gym properly

After a long time promising myself I finally made it a priority

Did it work? Or did I just get injured yet again

If I did I bet it was the hamstring strain

I feel like I'm stronger in faith than when the decade began

Maybe I'll fall away or maybe I'll be baptised a second man

I know I'll learn a lot and change my philosophy

Promise me though you'll think through it properly?

Look, that future is uncertain, and I'll have to stay right here

A person in the past writing a future poem for the new year

I don't know if you need it, but I want to wish you luck

You're smarter than you think, even when you think you're stuck

I've no idea who you are, but I hope you're someone I'd enjoy meeting

That even if your life is hectic you have time for a friendly greeting

I've no idea if you'll read this, or even if the internet will still exist

Maybe you'll start drinking alcohol and enjoy getting pissed

Maybe the planet will call humanity on its hubris in climate change

Maybe politics will become less tribal and become less strange

Maybe, maybe. I could worry about the future forever.

The other option is to go live it, and try to change things for the better

Hey Harry? Remember you don't have to do things on your own

Remember how great your friends are. Remember you aren't alone.

Trust in Him. Trust in the relationships you've sewn.

I hope you're happy. I hope you've grown.

Dear Harry in ten years, or even in more

Don't be a stranger. Give the future what for.

Love, Harry (2019)