Those that control us

Sir? 

 Yes private? 

It's the people, sir. They're doing nothing, sir

 Nothing private? What's the problem with that private? 

They're doing literally nothing, sir

Managing to ignore their algorithm, sir

The one designed to seize their mind

To make them angry at things that don't matter, sir

Instead, they're reflecting and praying, sir

Meditating and staying still, sir

Remembering how to think for themselves

How to not react to every thing, sir

Their neurochemistry is resetting, sir 

Their grey matter is rewiring, sir 

They're remembering they aren't their algorithm

And we need to do something about it, sir 

 Ah, well, can't do nothing private. 

Yes, sir

Very good, sir

I'll see to it, sir 

Just after I've watched this video, sir

***

Written at Wildfires 2026

Unearned love

In all the worlds below and all the world above
There is no greater gift than unearned love

Love. That which supports our very soul
Which lifts us up and makes us whole 
Which heals the wounds that cut our core
And makes us wonder how we coped before

With this gift, you will see life anew
No longer does the whole world stand against you
Finally, after all you've tried and tried and tried
Someone loving is on your side

The only condition, through time and space
Is to accept this gift of love with grace

***

Written at Wildfires 2026

Running on Empty

I'm stretched, depleted, but not yet defeated
I'm the last little light that they haven't deleted
I'm running on fumes but not yet empty
The last gasps of a flame that still shines plenty

So imagine what I could do with a bit more fuel
Imagine how bright I'll burn when I'm a bit more full
With more oil in a lamp to light a way
I'm asking for energy so lord I pray

I'll keep on the spark with whatever I have
I'll do what I can to make you glad
But give me more, if you deem it right
And I'll try to burn right through the night

***

Written at Wildfires 2026

Natural Inspiration

The more I learn about engineering
The more I realise we're just doing our best to copy nature
From neural network to polymer silk
The world is a guide on our adventure

And I'm not saying it's everything.
I've yet to see a naturally occurring nuclear plant.
But it's more than you might think
Guiding your world since you were an infant.

It's not that engineers aren't smart enough to think up our own ideas.
We're just smart enough not to ignore the obvious inspiration.
Nature has had many years to solve it's problems.
So lets save ourselves some perspiration.

So don't be too cocky, thinking we've grown beyond needing nature to strive.
Nature will always be a source of inspiration. And, well, also a source of what keeps us alive.
       That bit's important too.

Overheat

It doesn't matter how strongminded you may be
You will still start to collapse in the heat
If you're unable to find shade then your philosophy
Will run up against an automatic defeat

Oh, smart young boy with will of iron
How easily you are brought low!
Your efficient machine with a fire in
Has been stoked by too much bellow

Now is not the time for action
Except action to stay hydrated
You may thirst for new ideological faction
Only once your actual thirst has been sated

We are, all of us, mere chemicals and biology with a little bit of spark
We all are victims of our surroundings, and need both light and dark
You are your body just as much as you are your thought
Do not overestimate yourself, a miracle who needs support

Supporting art

I enjoy analysing art
Not just because I learn more about the art and the artist
But because I learn more about myself

Art with no creator
Feels hollow

I want to learn about the choices we make
How our decisions
Make us become different people

I want to reflect
To see my own shape

So let me stay genuine
Supporting the arts to exist
And stay interesting

Fellow fixers

This might be a broken world
But it's the only one we've got
So rise up fellow fixers, 
And give it all you've got

I can't promise success
That we get it in one piece
But we can heal a crack or two
Make some hurting cease

So rise up fellow fixers
Even when things seem tough
The list goes on and on
We may never do "enough"

But one day we'll look back
At all that we have done
Grateful for the work
We almost never begun