#22 Straight Edge

I've never needed to artificially produce a high
Never really done drugs, let me tell you why
Life is so thrilling and fantastic as it is
I don't need to do anything drastic for a fizz

To some people this is alienating
It's just uncool and a bit frustrating
People ask why "How can you not do {insert drug here}"
I'd reply but there's no answer they want to hear

I'm a bit scared of becoming reliant - sure
I've friends who're already in need of a cure
But it's not a main reason for keeping it clean
For not giving life a seasoning and adding a sheen

"Do you not feel awkward, like you're making us feel bad?"
You just sound backward, and kind of mad
I don't expect anyone to lead the life I do
But it's the way that gives me least strife, it's true

"Don't you feel like you're missing out on what life is?"
Let me answer that with a one question quiz
Is life about just taking stuff and losing yourself
About taking enough medication from shelf after shelf

No, the real reason is I want too do things under my own steam
I want to be the reason behind what all my actions mean
I want to be responsible for every choice
For the good, and the bad are done with my voice

While originally I just didn't like the taste
It's now a rule on which my life is based
For the better, it's part of my pledge
To the letter, to be straight edge.

#21 Ways To Say Goodbye

Goodbye.
It's a simple word isn't it.
Yet it contains so many different connotations and meanings that it can mean almost anything at all.

The simple goodbye,
For a friend you know
You'll meet again tomorrow

The goodbye when leaving home
To the family you've known you're life thus far
And going out on your own to this world so bizarre

The goodbye when you aren't sure when you'll meet again
When you don't know whether you should hold back the tears
If the next time you meet will be in years

The goodbye when you know you wont meet again
When a friend is leaving your world for good
And lives are parting like they never should

The first goodbye of a new friend
When you know you'll have fun again soon
The goodbye of a friendship newly hewn

The goodbye you give when you don't want to leave
When circumstances seek to drag you away
When all you really want to do is stay

The final goodbye you'll ever say
The one thing all of us have to one day give
The only one you never outlive

The goodbye you never said, but now it's to late
There's no sense of closure, just emptiness inside
The goodbye never said to the person who died

#20 One D more

So, here's the scenario. You've been staging a dramatic comeback against a team. You've just scored, and are starting on defence. It's a big point, and it means a lot to everyone there. Nervously, you look to your captain. He looks nervous to. Then, suddenly defiant. You wonder what's coming next. Suddenly, he starts to sing...

VALJEAN
One D more!
Another point, another man to D.
This never-ending road to victory;
My men have one more wall to climb
To finally end this overtime.
One D more!

MARIUS
Only one point left to play
Time to finish what we have started.

VALJEAN
One D more.

MARIUS & COSETTE
Tomorrow you may rest away
Which you may do, when we have parted!

EPONINE
One more D to make my own.

MARIUS & COSETTE
Will we be on O again?

EPONINE
One more D for the crowd staring.

MARIUS & COSETTE
I was born to score with you.

EPONINE
What a throw he might have thrown.

MARIUS & COSETTE
And I swear my force is true!

EPONINE
But he never saw me there!

ENJOLRAS
One more D left to perform!

MARIUS
Do I follow as the disc goes?

ENJOLRAS
As we fight on with ambition.

MARIUS
Shall I poach another player?

ENJOLRAS
When our zone begin to form

MARIUS
What's my play; and do I dare?

ENJOLRAS
Will you form the cup with me?

ALL
The time is now, the D is here!

VALJEAN
One D more!

JAVERT
One D more to resolution,
We will lay out in the mud!
We'll are ready, make some noise
Be prepared if they run a flood!

VALJEAN
One D more!

M. & MME. THENARDIER
Watch 'em run in muck,
Catch discs as they fall,
Never risk your luck
When there's a free for all,
Here a little tip
You can catch any 'touch'
Play your best with honour
Play with spirit and such!

Students (2 Groups)
1: One day to a new beginning

2: Raise the flag of ambition high!

1: Don't be scared to make a swing

2: Don't be scared to make a swing

1: There's a new point for the winning

2: There's a new game to be won

ALL
Do you here the sideline sing?

MARIUS
My place is here, I play with you!

VALJEAN
One D more!

MARIUS & COSETTE
Only one point left to play

EPONINE
One more D to make my own!

MARIUS & COSETTE
Time to finish what we have started.

JAVERT(overlapping)
I will join these people's heros
I will follow where they go
I will earn the profile pictures,
I will know what throws to throw.

VALJEAN
One D more!

MARIUS & COSETTE
Tomorrow you may rest away

EPONINE
What a throw he might have thrown!

MARIUS & COSETTE
Which you may do, when we have parted!

JAVERT(overlapping)
One more D to resolution
We will lay out in the mud
We'll are ready make some noise

THENARDIERS(overlapping)

Watch 'em run in muck,
Catch discs as they fall,
Never risk your luck
When there's a free for all.


VALJEAN
Tomorrow we'll be far away,
Today is now our judgement day

ALL
Today we'll all discover
What our opposition has left in store!
One more score
One more D
One D more

Context: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3MzWYa_-Y

#19 Just a fish

Hey, I'm just a fish in the sea
And guess what, there's plenty more of me
Always has been and hopefully always will be
But we don't taste the same, we're quite unique

See I'm aware I'm the subject of many a metaphor
Just a phrase for there being an abundance, and there always being one more
But I'd like to counter that with utmost vigour
For not every fish is one you would wish to seek

And hey, the water's the place I like to dwell
When I'm out of it I wouldn't do so well
Unless I'm under some magical Disney-like spell
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try something new

It's better to challenge yourself in new situations
Being stuck in a rut just causes frustration
Being the fish out of water can cause some great new adaptations
After all, a fish that left the seas long ago eventually became you

We're all unique in our choices and decisions
No saying is ever going to be perfect to every fish you see
I guess here is the climax to this vision
You too were once just another fish who left the sea

#18 Changes

The world revolves at a steady pace of 360 degrees a day
The sun will rise and it will fall. But it will never stay.
The stars in the sky will eventually burn and change how a constellation is arranged.
The Universe itself isn't constant. In the end, everything will have changed.

Growing up, you never see yourself grow into anything different.
This world is trying hard to change you, but man you're persistent.
You'll always be you at heart, whatever that means anyway.
There's certainly nothing to contrast any consecutive day.

But then, take a look back. A good while back if you have to.
You've developed. Don't be ashamed, it's true.
But the you back then wouldn't recognise you now.
You didn't realise, but the world changed you somehow.

And look the other way. You'll change in the future as well.
You'll go through heaven and you'll go through hell.
How you'll change. Man, that's just speculation.
You'll be built up further, all you know is the foundation.

There's just no use trying to stay as you are.
You're eventually no more permanent than a star.
Embrace it. Life will take you fantastic places if you give it a try.
And never allow the past to let the future pass you by.

#17 Right now

Right now you're not the only person on earth
Right now there's a grandfather dying and a mother giving birth
Right now the world is spinning, and it's only one moment you may find
Right now is one moment experienced in 7 billion different minds

Right now the night is dark, and the moon is bright
Right now it's raining, but dry, so hark at the sun in the sky
Right now one little kid just opened his eyes and saw his first ray of light
Right now six astronauts float in space where there's no day or night

Right now a young girl creates a semi-perfect daisy chain
Right now a young man wishes he could pass out from pain
Right now a kid found hope after hearing it get's better
Right now a young lover just finished writing their first love letter

Right now a patent just got approved for the next big invention
Right now a student just met her true love next to her in detention
Right now friends just reunited for the first time in years
Right now a teen read their acceptance letter through tears

Right now a office worker finally broke a habit of decades
Right now a man who dropped litter on the street labelled himself a renegade
Right now someone just joined the unemployment lines
Right now someone just found out their tumour was benign

Right now a man just passed away before he could say his last phrase
Right now someone laughed for the first time in days
Right now someone wiped away a tear as they said 'I do'
Right now a life just continued as though this moment meant nothing to you



Inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cDDWvj_q-o8
Yes, it was posted early. I never *have* to wait for the deadline. I just normally do.

#16 Can't do it alone

I think one of the scariest moments of my life, was when I realised I couldn't do it alone.
I could never be truly independent, never could do it just on my own.
From the moment we are born, we need other people, our parents for a start.
The doctor and nurse who helped your Mother give birth, and your Dad also played his part

And as you grow up tall, you start to strive, and want more independence
You want it all, to feel more alive, and want to break your dependence
You think that some day, way off in the future, you can make it going solo
Make your own way, stand strong and endure, no matter where you go

The future is still an uncertain place, but I can tell you this
But straight to your face, here's my prognosis
The libertarian autonomic independence is ignorance incarnate
There's no man alive who doesn't benefit from his fellow primates.

For the road you walk on, the rubbish you make which is collected
To the meat you buy which has been independently inspected
The people who sterilise your water, and make it safe to drink
The scientists and philosophers who help form the ideas you think

On your own I honestly say you couldn't do any of this
If you think you could, you're deceiving yourself - it must be a happy bliss.
But society is a collection of all, not just you
But its not a bad thing, I tell you this true

Together, we really can be the best we can be
The sum of individuals creates a greater society
We are reliant on others to achieve almost all we desire
Through the power of others, we are lifted higher

#15 To this moment

It may not seem true, but everything has been leading up to this

You were born, one day long ago
With a world to explore with so much to know
So much potential, so many paths to explore
So many reasons to start exploring the world for

And so you took some paths, you made some decisions
Some of them were chance, others decided with precision
And it takes you down strange routes, this world of ours
Life can stay the same for years or change in hours

But where you are now is quite unique
A special combination, a chance, a freak
You couldn't come here again if you tried
But to try again is an option most fervently denied

Instead, be glad, you are who you are you see
You are you, who else would you chose to be?
Be glad of the present, that's my diagnosis
So right now, at every now, everything has lead up to this

You, sitting there, reading an average poetry blog. Well, I think you chose well at least.

#14 To lose a friend

I've started to grow distant from some friends of old
And it's always painful when I realise that this is the case
That we've neared the end of our story to be told
We're still running, but no longer in the same race

It's tough. But there isn't much you can do, I guess
There's so many people and so many places
That my mind and memory is a mess.
It's hard to keep track of all the faces

They keep changing without me
It was painful to realise
That people aren't going to wait politely
For me to stop and re-enter their lives

Yet for most, I hope, they'd still stop to chat
If the chance arrived, they'd not just pass me by
I know some who already chose to do that
And though it hurts me, I do it to others, no lie.

So to everyone out there who I haven't seen a while
I beg your patience, but go on living well
Advance yourself, and do it with a smile
So that if we meet again you have a story to tell

#13 Don't Look Down! (up is far more interesting)

When I was younger, I used to look at the night sky and see nothing there.

It's just blackness and nothing, as substance-less as air.

And while that may have been true, it wasn't in the way I intended

See while the sky may not have friendly aliens which can be befriended

(at least as far as we know about)

There's still a lot of stuff to make you shout

"My God, how on Earth(?) does this stuff exist

And how can life on this planet even persist"

See there's big balls of flames

Many countless infinities of chemical reactions

And it was to my eternal shame

How long it took to garner my attraction

And now it has, I'm not letting a second go to waste

Because the night sky is so much more than a copy and paste

Each part of it is unique, a scientific miracle

Most of it real, and only part theoretical

And if you've not done so thus far

Just lay back and the ground, and look up at the stars

As the entirety and eternity of all of outer space

Can be reflected into your eyes, as you realise the wonders you now face.

Context: An Astronomer friend of mine, when asked for a random topic, gave me the night sky. She liked it, so I hope anyone reading this does as well :)

#12 In case you weren't aware

In case you weren't aware, there's a world outside your window.
In case you weren't aware, there's places on this earth you need to go
In case you weren't aware, life is more than work and a computer screen
In case you weren't aware, I'm about to elaborate, and tell you what I mean

Too often, we get trapped in our own little earth
Much smaller than the big one, which we were given on birth
A little personal place, that doesn't stretch out far
With familiar faces, and nothing bizarre

A world where nothing happens that you don't expect
Where everyone has similar ambitions and regrets
Your philosophy is only ever reinforced
And from a familiar vein is everything sourced

Stop it. Break out that cage.
It doesn't have to be done with anger or rage.
It just takes a second, and to be a tiny bit brave
To break out from the usual habits in which you behave

Do something different, no one's stopping you
Break the pattern of what you usually do
Make your own path, you may be surprised where it leads
And do something different.

#11 You haven't seen anything yet

To those spys sent by the government to track every second of my life,
Let me assure you - you haven't seen anything yet.

I know you think I'm just a distinctly average guy, little strife
In the game of life, I'm a high stakes bet

But I assure you, tomorrow, it's all going to change
I'm going to make my stand

To everyone who knows me it's going to feel strange
As I become known throughout the land

Yes I'm going to be big
And you'll all want to shout
About this small little twig
Who's branching out

You'll see me inspire the new generation
And be the next big thing
I'll be the name people give under 'inspiration'
I'll be close to a king

Honestly, tomorrow it's going to happen
I'm finally going to break through
I know I can hear everyone else laughing,
But I swear to you it's true

I really am going to make my move
I'm going to be the best I can be
I'm going to be better. I'm going to improve

This time I mean it.
Honestly....

#10 The Beat

I don’t know if you’ve heard, the drumming of the air

You may call it absurd, but I assure you that it’s there

That simple beat, that carries on the wind

Always to repeat, never to rescind

It’s the pulse of life, the marching of time

Sharp as a knife, its point is prime

You may not know, but you march to it too

Wherever you go, it’s all that you do

You can’t break free, there’s no point trying

It’s all you can be, until you’re dying

The rhythm is strict, the dance is tough

A sound to restrict, you can’t struggle enough

But just once in a while, it may get loose

And then why not smile, with less of a knot on the noose

You can step back and see, everyone else in their dance

While you can be stationary, see everyone else advance

Take advantage.

This wont last long.

You’re briefly free.

Go wild.

Go mad.

Go Anywhere.

Break the rules.

Reality will restore itself shortly.

When it notices you’ve gone.

Don’t let it.

And though it may, catch you up again

Don’t let it cause dismay, it wont be long 'til when

You can see the pace slow, can see what you must do

That’s when you’ll know, you'll feel the déjà vu

Take your encore, step out of time once more

Trip the step

Beat the drums

And be your own rhythm

#9 In

Its an in joke that I’m not proud

That I’ve never been in with the in crowd

I’m a proud outsider

A socially awkward collider

Making social situations so difficult and strange

That there’s no one left who wouldn’t say I’m deranged

But that’s fine. I’m an introvert at heart

You’ve got to go down to discover my genuine emotional part

I act like a tough guy

But flat out that’s a lie

I’ve been damaged too many times, don’t cause it’s tough for me to reveal

Like any human being I’m a guy that can feel

So if I seem cold, ruthless or hostile

I’d beg you, just give me a while

I may not be popular, blessed with a prom king fate

But if you get to know me it’ll be worth the wait.

I had the word 'in'. This is what I wrote about

#8 My Darkest Desire

I wish that I could name countries, that I could read maps,
That I could write essays, as well as I can rap.
That I could go on field trips and get muddy, I guess I'm trying to infer,
My darkest desire is to study and be a geographer.

Know I know what y'all are thinking "the boys gone mad,
What ever happened to him, he used to be such a promising young lad,
Full of hopes an ideals, aspirations and dreams,
Now he's gone so far wrong you can hear his parent's screams."

I'm going to stop you right there because I think you're being a little dramatic.
And I can sense doubt in the audience. So let me state and be emphatic:
Geography is really the means by which I wish I could pay my bills,
But I didn't have the nerve or the colouring skillz.

Yet I really do care about the environment and the energy debate.
About the Geology and Sociology of the planet we habituate.
But I have to say when it comes to the thrust of the earth's crust causing tidal surges,
And red hot magma and volcanoes, they all give me urges.
Yeah it really is one of the most urgent of course,
I run out of air when I talk about the limitations of earth's resources.

I'd love to go on a field trip to someplace nice and exotic, but also quite expensive,
But I think I'd be nervous, I'd sure be apprehensive.
And I feel I'd have to stand up to my stereotype with defiance,
I know all of you view me as just a guy that studies science,
But I'm more than just the math, more than just the equation.
I'm not trying to make you laugh, but win you over with persuasion.
Because although it goes against my engineering core, I've got no wish higher,
Yeah to study Geography really is my darkest desire.


***

Context: We had an auction of promises, where people sold services and items for charity. I offered a poem, and much to my surprise and delight it was actually bought by 2 second year geographer friends of mine, James Fisher and Dan Tarry. The only limitation they gave me was the poem's subject - my darkest desire. Who knows what they had thought I'd write about. After some thought, I'd decided to do it about studying Geography. Originally it was meant to compliment them show Geography as a complex subject, covering many disciplines and highlight it's importance to the modern world. I feel I only deviated slightly from that in my final piece...

Sorry.

But nevertheless, this poem is still dedicated to them. Whether they want it to be or not.

#7 Ambition

If you love what you do, you'll never have to live a day in your life.
But if you do then what you love will cause you trouble and strife.
Because then you depend on it for survival, it becomes a chore.
What once was great becomes no fun anymore.

And then, also, you care so much if you succeed.
You have real tears to cry, real blood to bleed.
You can't do the 9-5 shift, not really caring.
Not if your desire is collapsing and tearing.

See, a lot of people I know thought they loved what they did.
Thought they'd known what they'd wanted since being a kid.
Thought that there was no way they'd ever grow tired or sad
Of doing the thing they had done since a lass or a lad.

The real world ain't like that though, you see?
It's constantly twisting and turning, welcome to reality.
Ideals and morals are going to be put through the mill
Every desire is to be tested, but for every way, there is a will.

It's tough, and it ain't the easiest path.
And though others may decide to point and laugh.
If there's something you really want, there's nothing I'd more strongly recommend,
Than taking the hardships on board, and pursuing it to the end.

#6 Tomorrow Will be Kinder

When Mother Earth is getting you down, please don't mind her
This day will soon be through, and tomorrow will be kinder

I understand, dear sir, you've had a rough day
Work has been hard, nothing has gone your way
Go back home, lay your head to rest
Life will get better, I can clearly attest


For Mother Earth will stop soon, please don't mind her
This day will soon be through, and tomorrow will be kinder

And madam, I know you've been under a great deal of stress
But I care not if your clothes are dirty or your hair is a mess
For all dark clouds will soon clear the sky
If you just wait, the darkness will drift right by


Mother Earth is just being herself, please don't mind her
This day will soon be through, and tomorrow will be kinder

Dear friend, this world can be a very strange place
Big and scary, and intimidating to face
But all fears will pass, all dangers will release
Hold my hand, and together we'll wait for the dark today to cease


Mother Earth is having a rough time herself, please be kind to her
This day will soon be through, and tomorrow will be kinder


***

Inspiration: Tomorrow Will Be Kinder - The Secret Sisters

#5 The Nod

We don't often acknowledge the existence of people we don't know

Those we don't find safe to talk to

But very occasionally, we give a brief gesture, mumble or glance in their direction

Signals which can mean anything from 'stay off my territory' to 'I find you attractive, but I'm too scared to act on this inclination'

But there is one type of engagement with strangers which I really treasure.

One that looks like nothing to the mere outsider.

The Nod.

Not just 'a nod' but 'The Nod'. The one that says:

We are both insignificantly small beings, on an insignificantly small piece of rock hurtling at many miles an hour through space.

And on that insignificant rock there are billions and billions of humans, all of whom have an entirely unique perspective on life and history of experience of their time on this earth.

That out of all these billions and billions of beings, our paths, yours and mine, have happen to cross just once.

They may do so again, but we wont realise so it doesn't count then.

But this time, we share the moment, not only of how unlikely and insignificant we are, but of how unique and how special we are as well.

That our past, our decisions and our experiences have bought us both to this point are both different and will take us different places in the future, but right now we're at the same point in time and space, and experiencing this same moment of life together.

And we acknowledge that with The Nod.

#4 A risky rant, A risky pur-suit

They say that beauty isn't only skin deep
That beneath the surface is what really counts
The bit still alive in the dark when we sleep
It's certainly important, by all accounts

But then why is presentation everything?
Why should it ever matter at all?
If all that truly matters is the presence you bring,
Then why on earth should we have to dress nice for a ball?

Now this is an annoyance of a personal type
One that I've struggled to attack after many a pursuit
It may be Oxonian blasphemy, but I've never believed the hype
That comes when you dress in a well-tailored suit.

It's impractical, can't you see?
It's only through society that it claims it's pride
It's with us throughout life, the bizarre formality

In birthday suits we're born, buried formal in suits when we've died.
If I ever go, it'll be how I lived, in something I'd naturally wear

But it's hard to escape, there's suits on everything you see
Even a banana in a tuxedo, I swear!

So let's end this, I plea.
I've never had the grandest of ambitions
But we'll never escape this suit-fixation unless
We work together to make this plan come to fruition
And formally end this madness.

#3 I am but an idea

I am but an idea,
But that's not much, I fear.
Sure, some ideas are really something to impress
And just happen to find the right cortex to address
Strike the person right down to the core
To be not just an idea, but become something more.

...That's not me.
I'm just the idea that is the silent epiphany
And though I may not have the most dramatic of effects
I'm the quiet realisation that the world connects
And while I'm not going to make you famous, or change the earth
I may help you realise that you are, at least, of a little worth.
That maybe there is actually a reason, after all this while.
I am but a small idea that may give you a small smile

#2 The Chattering Classes

Collecting phrases is a habit of mine, it's just something to do as time passes.
And I have to say I struggle to think of a phrase I find more fine than 'the chattering classes'
(Thats a great rhyme by the way, it works no matter how you'd pronounce it
But this here couplets a little pretentious, so I'm going to go ahead and renounce it).
Anyway,
I pledge today
To become a member of the chattering elite
Those who know me know my chatter is hard to beat
But I have a feeling, if I were to bite the bullet and put myself to the test
I would find it difficult to chatter with the best
My words are weak, my lexicon is lax - at its worst its banter
I can talk you into a trance but I know I'm not an enchanter
If I really want to join this most distinguished of professions
To get into these chattering classes, I'm gonna need some lessons.

#1 As the Underdog

The odds may be a million to one, but that hasn't stopped me yet
For it's when you take your greatest risk that you feel most alive, when you place all your chips on one bet
See, I know I'm the eternal underdog in this game
I accept that willingly and show no shame
Who wants to be the favourite, right from the start?
How then do you show resolve, courage and heart?
So far in life, I've pushed a lot of boundaries back
But the edges are still there, waiting for my attack
So if you want to witness this battle, then stay right here
Because the battle for this boundary is gonna take all year.

Mission Statement

Objective: I pledge to have a new poem posted here every Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning (before I go to sleep) for 2013.

Why?: I know my poetry is rubbish. And it's something I'd quite like to get better at, both the writing and the performing.
This isn't me writing for anyone but myself, but it's being made public so that others can criticize me and give me advice. And if you happen to enjoy it, that's a happy bonus.
I'm not going to be regularly posting this stuff to my facebook page, so you don't need to worry about anything like that. But for those who want to help it out, suggest a topic or two and maybe get a poem written about them, or even do the same task themselves, well, I'll be very grateful.
I know I've got a lot to improve on. This quote from Ira Glass describes how I feel right now - http://vimeo.com/24715531 - in so many parts of my life.

For those that don't know, I started doing poetry for people in leaver's books at school. Then, at University, I performed it for the first time. And from that point I've improved so much in just a year, even though I've only been writing little bits here and there. However, I know I'm still rubbish, and that I've still got a lot to improve on. I'm excited about what I'm going to be like a year from now, but there's a lot of work to get to that point.

Anyway summary over. If you're still with me, I'll be happy to see you around for the year ahead. :)

Signed,
A knowingly naive Harry

21 years young

21 years young, and still going strong.
21 years young, but you wont be for long.
Life I've moving really fast these days, I wonder if you've noticed?
Time is speeding up, there's no way to sugar coat this.
So in this time of running, rushing and utmost haste
In this time of not letting a single second go to waste
We find the nicer things in life pass us by, without even a glance.
Too many potential fates, too many paths down which to explore and advance
It means the routes we do take, are routes we have to treasure.
And I have to say its hard to think of any route that has given me more pleasure
Than the one which lead me to encounter you
A friend most honest, lovely, and true
I could easily never have been a character in your tale
Maybe a random passer by, Just a minor detail
But instead, you've got to know me, and I to know you
Its a trade off, but one I was happy to go through
What I've learnt recently is everything worthwhile takes effort and time
From degrees, to sport, to just penning a rhyme
But the benefits, man, the benefits are worth while
If it can just give you a little smile
Because its out of such efforts the nicer things in life are born
And this one is just for you, Miss Charlotte Warne :)

I'm going through archiving my pre-2013 poems. This one was clearly a birthday poem for my friend Charlotte. Uploaded 2025. The irony is that charlotte was one of the older ones in our cohort, and now uploading this way, way past 21 years old.

Charge of the Human Rights Brigade

Premble

So like a lot of you guys sometime partake in casual chatter, which eventually steers to the point where politics is unavoidable
And it was during one of these that one of my more controversial friends uttered a phrase
"Oh, what is this, the human rights brigade?"
And the tome of this statement really struck a nerve
And made me unleash a rant that didn't know I held in reserve
All my friends stared at me, they knew what was going down
As I built myself up and released my sound

Poem

Alright I forgive your ignorance, this one time I guess
But its certainly an ignorance I'm going to have to address
See, the only way you could have much an idiotic opinion
Is if you didn't know the history of the Human Rights Division
In fact you've probably heard of some of our most famous celebrities
 Like Gandhi. JFK and Mother Theresa, MLK and Tim DeChristopher
And almost everywhere we're marched, our arrival has been hailed
As trying to promote humanity, and though sometime we've failed

Well do our best, put everything on the line
Martyrdoms a common fate, but we don't mind
So we're actually going out, taking action to do what's right
Not getting involved in petty politics night after night
And I've seen our soldiers die, and heard tales of many more
Some whose names were never known, yet still gave up their life for the cause
And although I realise people like you may not care
There's a whole battalion of people just trying to make the world more fair

To help the child, homeless on the sheet
Forced into a sweatshop to make shoes for your feet
To help the tribe on the brisk of genocide
To provide comfort to the teenager considering suicide
To try to stop the husband who beats and rapes his wife
To intervene for the gay kid in a country while his sexuality is the death penalty by the knife
To provide water and food where famine exists
Against these injustices and more, to always persist

And I've tried to march alongside these greats, even though I've been scared
See it's not just the celebrities, but the individuals that make us prepared
So lease join me, sign up to your local branch today
And join the charge of the human right's brigade


***

A poem from before I started this challenge (i.e. pre 2013), that I found on an old piece of paper and transcribed to this blog for archiving many years later. I don't know the precise date, but 

Pronoia

How many of y'all have ever been paranoid?
Ever walked down the streets and had an irrational feeling the world is against you?
That behind every corner is some child snatcher Voldemort Captain Hook waiting to steal us away.
That this world, is the worst of all possible worlds.

And there are many truths to counter this fact
Some say that yes, it's true, this world is against you
That you are one sperm of many,
The odds of you being alive are so small, they're almost nothing at all

Some say the world is neutral, that it. cares. not.
That its just a ball of rock spinning aimlessly in space
That we are going to be gone, something soon forgot
The fleeting memory will have been run of the human race 

So I want to introduce everyone of you to something new
Something I hope will change your world for the better.
Its something I wish the whole world knew
Something that can rewrite fate's apathetic life letter

So welcome to the best conspiracy you've ever saw
Whose aim is going to shake you right down to your core
Whose aim is to do good and nothing more
So welcome to pronoia, open up your door

And though this premise may make you laugh
The Universe is a conspiracy on your behalf
So if you're feeling down, then let me assure you that you've
Not seen the world is plotting to make your life improve

There's random acts of kindness happening around this earth
People helping one another to counteract fates curse
But its a two way conspiracy, so we need your support
To join in our fight, cause its a battle that's worth being fought

Welcome to our conspiracy, we're a kind employer.
The world is fighting for you. The world is Pronoia.

***

I'm retroactively uploading my pre-2013 poems. This is one of my favourite first ones, even if I don't quite know when it was written. In fact, it's being uploaded because I'd like to perform this one again soon.

 

Fluid Dynamics

Yo Yo, Mansfield Represent.

Although many of you may not know it, I consider myself a poet,
And when I give my rhymes its like fluid in a pipe - I like to flow it.
But there's societal shear stress, pushing back at me
But no matter how fast I spit lines they still affect my profile in velocity
Yet no matter how much they make my skin friction crawl
They can't compete against a potentially inviscid poetic addiction at all
If you have a central passion, you'll always find boundary interference
But overcoming this stereotyping drag is just the human experience
So I'm thinking you should wake up from your slumber, go out there and do it,
Or just go drinking and be like Reynold's with his number - never counting units.
Just do whatever it is you want without resistance, regret or fear
After all, you are the central flow, you are the person now in the know, you are an Engineer.

A little bonus poem from November 2012 I found when clearing through my emails. Written for Prof. Tom Povey, who set all the engineers a challenge to write a poem on fluid dynamics. He actually got me to perform mine in front of the lecture hall (as opposed to the rest which he read out). I think he called it "the first genuinely poetic submission he had received in his years of doing it".

A Poem for Nate and Kiri

A really should be feeling jealousy, I guess.

And the fact I'm not really feeling it is strange, I confess.

And, strictly in the interests of keeping it real

It wouldn't be so unusual a feeling to feel.

I mean, just take a step back and look at the two of you as a pair.

You go so well together its almost unfair

Being together, so lovely and sweet,

The nicest couple you could ever wish to meet

Ok, let me take a step back and explain what I mean

When I say I should be so envious it would make me green.

Nate, you're one of the greatest guys I've ever happened to befriend

I swell guy who never has a mean message to send

Always willing to look out for a misguided young lad

And give him some of the best advice he's ever had

And Kiri, boy am I jealous of you.

I've heard Nate talk in such flattering tones it's hard to believe they're true.

While I've met you only briefly, it's been a pleasant time

And I'm sure I'll get to know you more long after this rhyme

But together there's such a great relationship going

Which we can plainly see from the love that is showing

Ok, so let me wrap this up in a simple way.

I should be deeply jealous on this special day

It would be a perfectly natural thing to feel

To be jealous of a love so potent and real

But instead, I'm happy, I'm unfailingly glad

That you two met and had the chances you had

The fortune favoured you, fate was in your favour

And that fate can be so kind is a thought to savour

In fact, there's no one I'd wish this good luck to more

No one more deserving of such strong amore

So best of luck to the future, long may it continue

And the passion of love burn long within you

I'm so happy for you both, I hope I've made that clear

So there's just one final thing to say here

Have a great life, and live well together

And may these times continue forever.

from Harry

x

***

I'm going through and archiving my pre-2013 poems. Uploaded in 2025. I don't remember performing this one at the wedding, but I do remember it being the first non-family wedding I attended so it still holds a special place in my heart.

Open mic appreciation

Harry*, your song was brilliant, it really did amaze me
To try to describe it in English would be crazy
You show incredible musical talent with your ukulele
As well as with your voice, I'm in awe of your ability

And there's no need to blush or apologise
I know you want to, I can see it in your eyes
So please listen, and I hope you realise
You are a truly talented musician, but that aside

You're an amazing person, someone I'm glad I met
So, if you'll continue your kindness, I hope you'll let
Me say that the entire contents of this poem is true
I hope you like it, it's written just for you

***

A short poem written during an early open mic in Mansfield, somewhere in 2012 likely.
*Not written about myself, but about my old housemate.

Growth

Growth was never just a physical thing.

It was never just about who had the greatest height,
About who's head was so close to the sun it nearly set alight,
About who had the advantage in leapfrog games,
And who, because they were different, and taller, felt shame.

I could go on like this, but I'm not going to.

Because although growing that way isn't a bad thing to do,
Its not the main avenue I would chose to pursue.
And I'll tell you, as brief and quickly as possibly I can,
'Cause I know people as important as you don't want to have to listen to a lecture from this idealistic young man.

So here goes.

I want to apologise, when I've done something wrong,
To realise and recognise that I'm weak as well as strong,
To accept that I might not achieve every opportunity under the sky,
But to also accept that's no reason not to try.
To try to talk and understand other points of view, not just shout and curse,
To understand that there's none better than me, but also none worse,
To never let apathy get in the way of doing what I believe to be right,
And in my quest to help others, to never give up this fight.

But hey, that's just me. I'm probably wrong. And I swear, I'll try to admit it when I am.

Just please don't ask me to grow up.

I'm already trying my best.

***

I'm trying to archive all my pre-2013 poems (in 2025). I'm glad to still have this one, because it my first ever published poem! I hope I still have the booklet somewhere. Written in a lunchtime and my first ever submission (an acceptance rate which would *not* continue), it also led to me being involved with the Oxfam group for around a year or so.

Open Mic Night 2012

 Alright. Last time I was here, doing a poem on my own, you were gracious enough to listen to me perform a slightly self-centred piece about me joining Mansfield.

I wouldn't be so mean as to make you guys hear me talk about myself again.

Instead, here's a poem about someone else. Someone who deserves a poem way more than myself. And, I almost feel like this could be a payment in some way, although I'm fully aware that this in no way makes up the debt.

Anyway, I've rambled enough here, so I might as well start rambling in rhyme form. Here goes.

I wanna say thank you, and this is something of which I'm in no doubt.
 Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to the staff, and the scouts.
See, for all the work they do cooking our meals and cleaning up our mess each day
I just feel not enough thanks goes their way.
And I think everyone here would agree
That that single fact is an utmost tragedy.
So I'm gonna say thank you, right now and right here
In front of you all, being most sincere

That I really am grateful, and I may not say it as often as is deserved
For cleaning up our college, making sure its kept preserved,
For providing some of the very best food in this university,
And for, even when we don't deserve it, always showing courtesy
For, whenever I have to get up at what I would deem an ungodly hour
Already being there cleaning, making my bitterness for the earliness sour
For making this place such a great place to live
Which it wouldn't be, without all the help you have to give

And I'm sorry, that I don't show as much appreciation as I should
And in front of you all, I really would,
Like to apologise, for if I run past without a single acknowledgement
Or, an apology from a whole college sent
I don't clean up as often as I should, and sometimes just leave stuff to clean
And, when I'm feeling down from the work I've received when tutors have been mean
To, regardless of how many hours I've spent over the same piece of paper, still say thank you, and smile
So, I'm pledging to make an effort, if just for a while

To make your difficult job that bit easier, and clean up a little bit
To not put my bin outside everyday with only a single wrapper in it
To put clothes away, before you need to clean my floor
To realise how much better my room looked than before

To never ignore you, but instead be grateful of all that you do.
And most of all, not forget, ever, to say thank you.

***

I'm going through and archiving all me pre-2013 poems (in 2025). This was the second ever open mic night I did at my college - the preamble is a reference to "5th week blues". I do vaguely remember performing this. Having "scouts" - cleaners who would come to your room and empty your bins once a week and hoover - felt very alien to me. Due to doing engineering and having very early lectures, I don't think I often was in when scout arrived anyway - others were often caught out while sleeping, which I think made them a little less charitable.

Bar Poem

I'm a travelling adventurer, a journeyman of kind
And I'd like to tell you about a place I visited, if y'all wouldn't mind
I could tell you tales from every corner of the land
But looking, I can tell you people aren't ones for stories of rivers and sand
No. I think more to your taste... Yes, definitely,... In all my travels, the best bar I've ever seen!
A place grand and cosy, yet always clean.
Always an armchair to sink into at the end of a long day
Off the beaten track, yet not too far out the way
Yet I'm missing a major point. It has the best drink you'll ever face
Where the alcohol is so amazing, its even to my delicate taste
The beer, you'll revere
The ale, you'll hail,
The wine, is fine
And if you don't get there quick, its mine
Not that theres any race.
Its a sedate pub, with many an old face
Theres no loud mouth drunks. No fights outside
Its a place all the inhabitants drink with pride.
In fact, let me tell you some advice heyo gave me
And this is all advice that was given most sagely
I went up to the guy at the bar, his head in a drink
It looked like, if he stooped much lower, he'd start to sink
So with all, politeness, I enquired his name
"I have none" he growled "Oh, what a shame
But do you not have a label, used by those who know you best"
"I had one" he replied "I now use it only in jest
So let me give you advice, my brand new acquaintance
You can't escape the past, no matter how much you give your memory maintenance
Better to embrace your mistakes, forgive wherever you can
Before its too late, and you become a shell of a man"
Now this was a tad depressing, but I accepted its truth
So I thanked him and searched for others under this roof
For one with a bit more humour in his tone
And I saw a guy smiling to himself, though he was alone
So I went and asked "Whats the reason for cheer"
And he looked me straight in the eye and said "Just being here
Just being and alive in a healthy state
And the friends whom I've been blessed to know by fate
To know I've got people who'll look out for me, if I'm feeling down
Man, thats enough to make me never want to frown

I'm trying to make sure I've archived my pre-2013 poems. This was uploaded in 2025. I'm not fully sure it's complete, but here it is anyway :)

College Proposal

I want to give you everything, to give you the world if I could
But sadly, I'm just a guy, and unilke you, I have my flaws.
If I could, I'd take the stars from the sky and give them to you right now
But I couldn't walk that far away from you to be able to get them
I searched for ages for non-lethal non-poisonous flower that could match your beauty so I could lay it in your arms
But I couldn't find one pretty enough
Had I time, I would learn ever musical instrument and play them all at once for you in an amazing concerto
But no time will ever be enough to learn skills to match yours with a ukelele
Were I rich enough, I would buy you all the jewellery in the world, so you could look even prettier.
But sadly, I can't afford any, and anyway, you don't need jewellery to shine.
Well, actually, I could afford one thing.
I hope you'll do me an honour by accepting it.
Abigail Rose, will you marry me?

***

I'm going through and archiving all my pre-2013 poems (in 2025). For context - in Oxford you often have "college marriages", and are then given "college kids" (2 freshers) to look after and help when they get to Oxford. And also, as an escape from the stress of a degree, it's quite common to go a little over the top with the proposal. I like to think I managed that. I believe this was from a boat club Christmas event - I asked the band for the mic and proposed in front of everyone. 

Fifth Week Blues

This is for everyone who’s feeling those fifth week blues,
And who felt it fourth week and third week and second week too
For those who've been pressured since their first essay deadline
please lend me your ears and please give me some time.
I came here, not knowing what I could expect,
Whether I'd be a class 1 loser, or someone with respect.
Whether I'd be the party animal, dancing every time you look,
Whether I'd be the future first grader, head always in a book.
I didn't know, whether for the first time, I might have to drink.
I didn't know, whether for the first time, I might have to think.
Whether there'd be so much work I might start to drown,
Or whether I'd rule Oxford in my sub-fusc gown
So I hope all of you are starting to relate
To how I was feeling when I first came through those gates.
Somehow survived the interview, somehow got the grades,
Now it was into this foreign world to invade.
I was so scared, I was near paralysed
But with all the thousands of thoughts going through my head, there was one I hadn't realised
That, everyone else was in a similar position
That thought had somehow slipped my intuition.
That everyone was so friendly, and I really wasn't prepared.
To be part of a college where everyone cared.
That I've yet to meet a single person here I dislike,
And that’s an honest feeling coming from this mic.

But that’s enough of the past, let’s take a step to the future
And remind you you aren't all just statistics on a computer
That from this point, I don't care what grade you get
Because, to me, your grade doesn't equal your effect.
What matters is your personality and the stories you create
Not whether you've handed in one essay five minutes late
But, I'm happy to say I've no idea what’s going to happen next
What relationships will form, which questions will leave you vexed
Who’s going to be the person I see every day for the next 4 years
Who’s gonna achieve their dreams and who’s gonna conquer their fear
But like I say, I've got no idea
I've got no crystal ball, the futures not clear.
I can't predict the weather, my tea leaves are dry
And I ain't wearing the contacts for my half-blind third eye.
But just consider, while you're bemoaning your fifth week blues
What you thought that oxford was gonna mean to you,
Whether you're still scared or you still have fear,
Or, perhaps, in a few weeks, that you're gonna miss being here
That you should just enjoy your time, and stop trying to moan
Before you have to leave and go home.

Just remember you are all intelligent, amazing, brilliant, charming, friendly, unique and distinguished people. I'm gonna miss everyone of you. So stop being sad, and lets have an amazing time.

 ***

I'm going through and archiving all my pre-2013 poems (in 2025). This was my first open mic poem, and in a way the poem that started it all. Written and learnt in a single day. From this, I ended up starting Mansfield Poetry society with Lottie, which led to me writing a poem a week. If you've scrolled to my first poem - hi! The challenge started in 2013. This is just here for my own history.