Category: Uncategorised

That time of year again, marching towards the final hour,

Better grab that pen and paper, time to write a new chapter,

Will we finally stick to resolutions? That remains to be seen,

A world without covid as of now remains a pipe dream,

Held onto it this time last year, greeted 2021 beaming,

A few hiccups here and there but the dream looked close to happening,

Then came mid-winter, déjà vu huffed, puffed and blew,

One man’s error was all it took, society thrown back into the loop,

Back to lockdown for the masses, way to take several steps backwards,

The ghosts of 2020 came to roost, peep ‘em in the streets and check out the news,

Riots still hot this season, the far-right picking up from the far-left at the Capitol,

Left wing, right wing, the same bird is flappin’ ‘em, never underestimate the violence from the gullible and ignorant,

Folks still hating over differences in appearances and opinions, adults young and old behaving like spoiled children,

Beyond the residue of 2020, this year was a trip, there was good, there was bad and plenty of ugly for good measure,

Tokyo belatedly took the stage, finally staged the Olympic games,

Divisions and bickering put on hold, hands held all around the globe,

Chaos in Afghanistan, overtaken by the Taliban, citizens risked death on the runway, must be more appealing than tyranny anyway,

Tragedy on a film set, that gun wasn’t supposed to be hot, something fishy going on, raising more questions than not,

Justice for George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, finally, hope it was worth two years of chaos, looting, race-baiting and hypocrisy,

The sleep-deprived slithering into schools and acting the fool, how the fuck are y’all downplaying child-fiddling and abuse?

And on the subject of abuse, how ‘bout them pollies, rich folks and powerbrokers? Their sins and debauchery put front and centre, way to misuse their positions and power,

Media playing fire starter and provocateur, some things just won’t change,

But something ‘bout the general population ain’t right nowadays,

Don’t know how to describe it, like Animal Farm come to life,

Four legs good, two legs bad, better fall in line ‘lest you be ostracized,

Different sets of rules for the masses, all of ‘em dogmatic, better pick your position or they’ll drag you from the fence on which you’re sitting,

The most popular dictated by the rich and famous, attention-seekers thinking they got a license to influence,

Failure to bend or take a knee will cost you plenty, if not your life then certainly your credibility,

Get ready for the accusations; racist, narcissist, prejudiced, phobic, hate-mongering or a coward,

A free-thinking individual’s a dangerous animal, the fuckin’ sheep making connections between the pot and kettle,

There’s two sides or more to every argument or opinion, every lifestyle and belief system,

Ain’t nobody alive is all-seeing or all-knowing, open minds reap the rewards above the blinded,

School bully tactics still en vogue, a world where teamwork reigned would be dope,

As time goes by and life gets easier, seems like toughness and grit is put on the backburner,

Folks destroyed when challenged or met with resistance, is this a by-product of progress?

Still a jungle out there, every other weekend’s a protest,

That mid-year lockdown got ‘em hot and bothered, triggering beef between two factions,

Vaxxed VS Unvaxxed, the sheep against the quacks as they call one another,

Just a little note, swerving the poke don’t mean they think that all vaccines are a joke,

But mandates seem an overreaction, how dare they jeopardise our freedom,

It’s a free country in case you need reminding, let ‘em be responsible for their decisions,

To vax or not vax, both entail risks,

The damn Astra not the magical elixir as hyped, poisonous to the vulnerable type,

Pfizer ain’t much better, teenage hearts be swelling, not in a good way, either, myocarditis ain’t no laughing matter,

But playing rebel gonna leave you an open target, natural immunity may serve and protect, but mutinies are a possibility one mustn’t forget,

Fortunately it’s more hits than misses with the former, a return to normalcy’s around the corner,

Just in time for this new variant, now they’re pushing us to a third fucking helping.

Your boy right here began the year cautiously optimistic,

Isolated since 2020 thanks to a compromised immunity,

Three years since initial diagnosis but no crying over spilt milk,

Kinda sucks to be cut off, though, even for an introverted kid,

Sailed ‘round the Hawksbury, took nature walks beyond the city,

Keeping it local for now, got a big enough backyard anyhow,

Mass vaccination the plan to reach the Promised Land, but there’s reluctance even among the willing,

Long-term effects still unproven, as are what the solutions are harboring,

Found out soon enough, side-effects done reared their ugly heads,

For the most part pesky as hell, but for some the outcome was death,

Then they were talkin’ about forcin’ people to get it,

Freedoms and livelihoods evaporated should one dare to defy it,

Hence the aforementioned protests run by the bored and disgruntled,

Mass crowding prompting new waves brewing, get caught in the rip you could end up a statistic,

Chronic conditions diluting temptations to take unwise chances,

Grudging obedience obliterated plans for utter defiance,

Booked in for September, two doses spread over three weeks,

No nasty surprises after the first one, the second brought about soreness, headache and fatigue,

Gotta take it easy, still, for the sake of the vulnerable and non-compliant,

Personal desires put on hold, don’t want to be conscripted as a carrier.

That aside travelled down south to watch youngest cousin get hitched,

Ten-hour drive to and from, beautiful ceremony definitely worth the trip,

Good music, regular breaks and laughs ensured the journey was smooth,

Family catch-ups sure to brighten the gloomiest of moods,

‘Fessed up to Mom and Pops all my life’s ambitions, what’s worth fightin’ for and sacrificing,

Though nothing’s set in stone, only fools shut off opportunities for growth,

We weren’t meant to run in place, change can hurt but gotta embrace it,

Like a great man preached, the real ones flow effortlessly like water,

But it’s my life, which way it goes is solely my responsibility,

No need to trip, I’ll get there eventually, don’t matter the pace, I’m in no hurry,

Gonna hit that milestone in early 2022, it’s been four years in the making,

Ambition been simmering since the nineteenth trip ‘round the sun, better be worth the false starts since day one,

Gonna get there or die trying, ‘til the wheels fall off, ‘til I’m six feet under or cremated,

No longer a kid but not ready for retirement, gonna be more pages to be written.

A note to you readers, been through the wringer over the past two years,

Strength and will seared, looking ahead through the lens of cynicism and fear,

So much for the new ‘Roaring twenties’, expectations derailed in a hurry,

Plans scrapped and livelihoods threatened, families and friends separated,

Loved ones taken too soon and young ones needlessly orphaned,

Dark forces at work wreaking havoc, patience and resistance slowly falter,

Hard times corrode the masks that concealed peoples’ true colours,

Exposing the altruistic and pathetic, the creative and the rudderless,

The hate-filled hurting, plundering and killing their own brothers and sisters,

Blaming Ill-feelings and misguided beliefs as reasons for egregious actions? Schoolkids under ten conjure far better excuses,

We are one and the same, every colour, culture, lifestyle and creed,

Here’s a God damn fact, everyone’s life fucking matters, about damn time we moved forward and act like it,

Dare to resist popular opinion could see you cancelled, have we returned to the days of Hitler or Stalin?

The sleep-deprived endorsing free speech is nothing short of hypocritical,

Respect is earned and not demanded, won’t get none if you won’t give none,

Feelings hurt over counter-arguments surely won’t win you many admirers,

They laugh at your pettiness and immaturity, at the spectacle you make of yourself,

Seeking reasons to be triggered, talk about a wretched existence,

Gotta believe that good still outweighs the bad, though, otherwise life won’t be worth living,

It’s no easy feat, but better than dwelling in the land of the weak and defeated.

Though it’s easier said than done, though such advice may sound hollow depending on the source,

Keep that chin up and carry on, something to remember when you’ve lost all hope,

Took shells from all directions but damn it you’re still standing,

Luck ain’t had nothing to do with it, don’t underestimate the strength you’re imbued with,

The days are ticking by, can’t get it back once it’s gone,

Use ‘em as you please, but here’s a little something to reflect on,

Wasting time is simple, do nothing and remain stagnant, before you know it one too many has passed and you’re old, unfulfilled and kicking your own ass,

You deserve much better, but you still gotta earn it, ain’t nobody gonna hand it to you willingly on a silver platter,

Think of what drives you and gets that blood pumping every morning,

If it scares you some then that’s even better, don’t give in to that inner voice scaring you into inaction,

Fight like hell for what you want, never surrender and give it all you’ve got,

Fuck the haters and doubters, why be held hostage by the opinions of others?

Take it one step at a time and go at your own pace, let the dream guide your way,

Might take some soul searching to find your place but you’ve gotta keep at it,

We’re all pieces in the puzzle scattered, some just happen to be lying unseen in the corner,

Sooner or later you’ll be found, march on no matter the odds,

2021 is history, 2022 inching closer and closer,

The past is gone and no telling what the future holds, nonetheless gonna march on forward.

Here we go, two strangers at the bus stop,

Ten minutes ‘til that 750, might as well chop it up,

One of the two sporting a beautiful gold chain,

Pendulous around her neck, contrastin’ her dark top and flowing mane,

The other be admirin’, ‘your necklace is nice,’ says she,

‘Thank you,’ smiles the gold-bearer, blushing ever slightly,

Then she goes another direction, ‘it’s nothing special, really,’

‘But it looks nice on you,’ the retort was delivered nicely yet forcefully,

Back and forth they go, almost like a tug-of-war,

Like a two-sided brawl, trading shots like Gatti and Ward,

Finally she gets it, the one with the gold,

Here comes the 750, they take different seats once they’re aboard.

This is just a glimpse of what goes on lately,

Seems there’s nefarious activity among people and society,

Ain’t talkin’ ‘bout covid, that’s already been established,

Speak to another glowingly and you’ll notice something is amiss,

Ever heaped praise upon someone for some good deed that they’d done?

For any goals accomplished, even for dressing stylish?

For something nice they owned that you low-key wished was yours,

Even for being a light in a cold and cruel world?

They’ll happily catch the bouquet at first, perhaps even blush a little,

Then watch how quickly they drop it, like they’re shamed and embarrassed by it,

You can hand it back to ‘em, reassure ‘em it ain’t fake,

Some may take it back while others won’t, before y’all know it it’s a stalemate.

Makes you wonder when this trend started,

Negatives readily accepted, positives dumped as though poisonous,

Initial thoughts suggestin’ that what glitters ain’t genuine,

Hidden agendas and snakes in disguise conspire to trigger suspicious minds,

Could also be a state of mind and a means of avoiding pain,

Multiplied many times over when spawned by losses following such massive gains,

Like there’s trepidation in enjoying the good ‘lest it be snatched unexpectedly,

Why subject one’s self to that sort of torture willingly?

But there’s a hard truth that needs to be said, get it into your head,

Everything is temporary, the good, bad and very ugly,

Time is limited, who and what you have, none of it will last,

Enjoy the good things in life, don’t be embarrassed to do so,

They that shame you are likely victimised by pettiness rooted in fragile egos,

As long as it’s real, no harm in accepting compliments,

Life’s too short to live in fear of losses, the end will come for all of us,

Be proud of your achievements in a way that ain’t bragging,

Nothing wrong with rewarding one’s self, could be good for personal motivation,

Go and get what you want, be kind to others, take chances ‘til the wheels fall off,

Savour the good and get through the bad ‘til the sand runs out that hourglass.

Parenting, it’s a role fraught with challenges,

Endeavouring to raise the kids proper, being provider, teacher and entertainer while swerving judgment from others,

Might seem overwhelming in the beginning, rookies’ heads be spinning,

But as the lil’ ones grow and blossom you’ll realize such a role was rewarding,

Ain’t no official guide, no so-called right way, everyone got their own ways,

Different paths taken to the same endgame where their respective offspring turn out ok,

Having expectations ain’t new, surely every parent’s got ‘em,

How they take it when the young’uns grow up different, here’s where the plot thickens.

You’re familiar with the pattern, seen it all before,

Kid’s born, mom and dad dictating which way they should go,

For the most part ain’t nothing set in stone, just mere high hopes,

As long as the kid grows up honourable and can get by on their own,

Could start as expectations for their academic performance,

Then beyond the school gates, into the path of life, maybe even who they’ll call husband or wife,

Nurture that which lights their fire, encourage ‘em to mingle, don’t keep ‘em sheltered,

No harm exploring the mysterious beyond, as long as they exercise caution,

Expose ‘em to new things and experiences, they’ll surely thank you for it,

Teach ‘em right from wrong but also let ‘em grow up well-rounded,

Sooner or later they’ll find their purpose and life’s work,

Might take away from what you’d planned out for ‘em, on some level your concern is warranted,

Hate to break it to some of y’all, but while you’re free to guide ‘em in their youth,

You may face resistance from ‘em once they cross over to young adulthood,

Ain’t right to rob ‘em of their passion, rip the carpet from under ‘em,

Can’t meddle, either, in matters of their ride or die and co-pilot,

Life will dish out challenges, might find your kids among the sources,

But breaking rules and pushing envelopes aren’t always acts of insolence,

Rather than dismiss ‘em why not try to understand ‘em?

As long as they’re adding to the betterment of the planet surely they’re entitled to it.

The long and short of it is this, pay attention and drink it in,

The actions of others are beyond your control, as are the little ones’ dreams,

Dare to throw a spanner in the works watch how quickly they’ll hate and despise,

Beware the individual suppressed, it’s a different type of anger and spite,

Accept that outside forces will mould ‘em, too, you can’t protect them forever,

They’ll tread their own path, beyond your set perimeters, it doesn’t mean they’re disrespecting,

If they ain’t providing fodder for the evening news, wretched and acting the fool,

Let their true selves thrive in full bloom, pursue what they were born to do,

Have faith in ‘em to do right, to leave the roost and fly high,

Let ‘em take the hits necessary to achieve their own victories, no need to keep that chopper hovering constantly,

If you’d done your job proper then you should trust that they got this in the bag,

That they’ll take on the world and triumph, proudly represent Mom and Dad,

Blood is thicker than water, ain’t nothing changing if you played your cards right,

They’ll still count on you if ever they stumble or need good old-fashioned advice,

They’re still yours, now and forever, always,

Let ‘em find their way, wherever it is, have their back anyway.

This is it, another turkey ready for bastin’ and roastin’,

Dream jobs in the scrapheap thanks to L’s of the self-inflicted variety,

Losing your gig ‘cuz of leaked dick picks nothing short of idiotic,

But let’s take a look at one poor fool who only had one job to do,

Sent up north for an interview, an exclusive, too, for good measure,

The envy of your peers and rivals, scored a win for your beloved Network,

She’s the hottest star in world of pop music, but don’t call her a comeback queen,

Been around for years, recharged her batteries before returning to the scene,

So off you went, hopped on the plane, travelled to an opposing timezone,

Touched down ready to rumble, got yourself comfortable,

Then the interview started, here’s your moment, go out there and get it,

But just like that it was mission failure, a glaring omission brought about your undoing,

Admitted to her you didn’t listen to her album, of course she was gonna be offended,

How you gonna rock up to a professional setting woefully under-prepped for it?

Just like that she’s storming out the room, ain’t nothing you can do about it,

Your golden moment crashed and burned like the Hindenburg, no excuses can soften it,

Gob off all you want ‘bout missed e-mails, ain’t nobody buying that shit,

You done played around IG during that special assignment, surely the real pros would’ve checked their e-mails for anything last-minute,

At the very least you’d gather background info of your subject, immerse yourself in their latest projects,

You’ve been on the job long enough, your lame excuses don’t carry much water,

It’s a long trip back down under, prepare to face the music,

Enjoy that two-week suspension, your dumb ass surely has earned it,

Take the L on the chin, Bro, it’s the least you can do to salvage that rep,

But while you’re at it hang your head down in shame, Dude you played yourself!

There you go again, struttin’, braggin’, hypin’ yourself again,

Crisping in your ego jacuzzi, self-love taken to extremes,

Flexin’ ‘bout your life’s achievements like they’re the stuff of myths and legends,

Convince yourself every morning that you’re the alpha, still, among fellow humans,

Keeping an eye out, too, on the others like an enemy sniper,

Your level of hustle dictated, seemingly, by peers’ everyday movements,

Donning on that costume when in a face-to-face environment,

Chest proud, shoulders back, eyes up, simple tells you’d rehearsed over and over,

Selling yourself as a chess master, always several steps ahead,

They ought to tremble at the inventory of worlds that you’d conquered,

Joke’s on you, though, as you’ll realise sooner or later,

Get your head from out the clouds and peep at the outliers,

The ones lurking in the shadows away from the population,

Folks like you call ‘em scared and tentative, silenced by intimidation,

You’re dead wrong for believing they’re scared to compete with others,

Not all waste time searching for new people to one-up and get one over,

Some prefer to compete only with the individual within the mirror,

To overcome obstacles no bigger than whom they were just days and weeks before,

No need to feel threatened by the achievements of others, such a mindset is reserved for fools and suckers,

You liken yourself to a warrior, one to be feared, envied and admired,

Hate to say it but they see through the bullshit, you’re just a weenie drowning in insecurities,

Enslaved yourself to your peers, most of whom are just minding their own business,

Letting ‘em live inside your head, rent-free, talk about a wretched existence,

Think about that the next time you prance and preen,

Relying on others to measure yourself against, the rewards are limited indeed.