Let It Bern

“I don’t know”, three simple words, can get one out of a jam but expose ‘em to derision or worse,

Knowledge is power, the seasoned and competent bear the gold, but sooner or later even top dogs gotta grow and evolve,

Life is a journey, offering something new every day, live as you please but do make it count, don’t let this gift go to waste,

Challenges arise across a wide range of sources, from situations and obstacles, new info and viewpoints, perhaps new individuals,

Can only lean for so long on what you’ve mastered, the next chapter dragging you back to the rank of beginner,

To fulfil that potential calls for repeated fresh starts, sucking at something new is always the hardest part,

Can’t be fed if that mouth’s closed, speak up though you seem uninformed, don’t fake what you don’t know, never ends well for liars once exposed,

There’s someone willing to lend a hand, share what they’d gleaned through trial and error, new perspectives be unlockin’ brand new adventures,

But for every Yin there’s a Yang, where some are thoughtful others are spiteful,

Choosing to scoff and disparage rather than understand and encourage,

Responsible for many a tortured soul drowning in a wave of humiliation and reluctance,

Drawing ‘em into their shell, life passin’ ‘em before they know it, self-loathing kicking in, their confidence irreparably shattered,

A message to such types, y’all need to quit it, why mock ‘em rather than teach ‘em? Why join the ranks among society’s vermin?

Could have been a helper but choosing to be a villain, way to be another reason why the world’s fucked and headed towards oblivion,

Why be the cause of another’s insecurities and pain? What’s there for y’all to gain? A moment of smug satisfaction, perhaps? Once enjoyed there’ll be no last laugh,

Enjoy being frozen out by the masses once they learn the extent of your crassness, no one likes a bully, picking on neophytes won’t win you popularity contests,

Y’all were beginners too, the least informed in the room, tentative, reluctant and confused, looked like lost little fools,

Y’all are just as flawed as the others, your delusions of superiority are numbered, only a matter of time before you get your come-uppance,

To all the rookies out there, still green and yet to find their wings, hurdles are inevitable when moving onto bigger and better things,

Face ‘em, don’t duck ‘em, seek guidance when needed, no shame in recruiting extra hands while building your kingdom,

Got new worlds to conquer, feathers to add to that cap, engage with it, persist with it, before you know it it’s a wrap,

Then it’s onto the next, the cycle repeats, begin again, never stop growing,

That, my friend, is the art of living.

Here we go, another tale regarding the perils of foolishness,

Another case of playing stupid games leading to stupid prizes,

That pandemic on high once more, running riot like the year before,

Idiot behaviour comin’ to the fore, dumbass panic buyers again out in force,

But ‘nuff’s been said about them, let’s shine a light on a couple of blokes,

Flipped the bird at the rules and treated warnings like a joke,

The sun been shinin’ as of late, the winter chill done hit the brakes,

Took advantage of it, get that tan goin’ to separate, differentiate themselves from those bundled-up and shaded a winter-pale,

Headed deep into bushland, away from prying eyes, stripped down in the buff to even out all sides,

Just when it appeared you’d get away scot-free, a deer interrupted your little party,

Peeping Tom sent y’all running, deeper into the forest with no GPS or compass,

Didn’t take long for your worst fears to manifest, hopelessly lost right in the middle of the forest,

In your infinite wisdom, done left your shit in the truck, still got your phones, though, your lone stroke of good luck,

Called triple-zero, ‘fessed up to your actions, receiver must’ve been trying hard to stifle laughter,

Thought the day would go down smooth, that y’all wouldn’t be caught in the nude,

A deer changed all that, then the coppers summoned to save your asses, too,

Now your hijinks made news headlines, a four-digit fine, each, was icing on the cake,

No doubt the punchline of many a bad joke, earned that shit the hard way,

Hang your heads in shame, foiled by your own acts of foolishness,

It wasn’t gonna end well, guys, you both done played yourselves.

Where do you go from here? You’re at the crossroads, where you once seemed assured now even less so,

Set you a goal, mapped out the mission, setting sail, locked onto what you’re set on achieving,

Jumped through hoops, crawled through tunnels, swerved past sudden cracks and crevices,

Suffered many a knockdown, bells rocked from end to end, speed bumps no match for a winning mindset,

Eyes forward onwards towards your planned happy ending, anticipatin’ the sweet taste of winnin’,

Full-steam ahead the journey been rollin’ ‘til one day you caught a snag that had you spinnin’ and shakin’,

Obstacles are inevitable, a smooth ride is but an illusion, in some cases insurmountable, worst fears became scarily possible, 

This one cut deep, self-doubt creepin’, to wave the white flag seems increasingly tempting,

But you can’t hide from the deep depths of the heart’s desires, surely there still exists a burning fire,

Came all this way just to throw it away, will you not be haunted by choices conceived in distressed haste?

What set you on this quest? Surely that same spark still swirling, burning, there’s still hope for you yet,

To propel you forward to achieve the dream that kept you steaming all evening that you had trouble sleeping,

Time to revisit and reminisce, summon that go-getter that’s surely still within, you knew comin’ in that there’d be hell, but won’t quit for anything,

Now you’re in the hole but you’ve climbed out before, have you the motivation to dig deep once more?

The world’s still your oyster, to quit now would be a waste of your time and talent, but only you alone knows what time it is,

But if the fire’s extinguished, permanently, if pep talk and soliloquies aren’t driving you to greater glories,

Then maybe it’s time to walk away, a fresh start and new beginning awaits, a chance to reinvent and find the calling with which you ain’t been acquainted with,

But think it through and sleep on it, don’t be making rash decisions in the heat of the moment, nothing hurts more than regret, jumping the gun, too, has consequences,

But above all else do it for yourself and your own fulfillment, living to please the masses carries with it burdens destructive and dangerous,

Fuck it if they call you a quitter or selling out, they ain’t knowin’ what done transpired so they have no clue what they’re on about,,

Your time’s still long, ain’t nothing wrong with switching paths over and over as you go along,

Keep growing and seeking, wish you all the best, whichever way you go may you achieve your goal.

May you cross the finish line satisfied, looking back with a smile, as the sun sets overhead painting the sky a faded red, whisper “yeah, I did it!”

Silent reading, a time-honored ritual,

Kickin’ off the final phase of the long school day,

10 minutes leafing through pages while teacher cools off on her table,

Reviewing the final lesson before the bell tolls for class dismissal,

Oblivious to the ones planning and plotting, huddled at the corner,

Carrying on in muffled laughter, day after day putting teacher through the wringer,

Self-proclaimed entertainers, forever fishing for a reaction from the others,

Armed to the teeth like samurais with new ways to stress Teacher on the daily,

Even during reading time ain’t no end to their hijinks in sight,

Drawing and spit-balling got ‘em in hot water already, gotta delve deep within their well of creativity,

While their peers devoured stories they’re gravitating toward dictionaries,

Flouting convention to get a rise from their contemporaries,

Inevitably they are spotted, drawing laughter from those within their vicinity,

Done made a spectacle of themselves, teacher’s dragged into it abruptly,

“I thought I said SILENT reading for ten minutes?” thundered she, forcefully,

Emphasising the point so the little-uns get the point, clearly,

“What are you all laughing at anyway? What could possibly be funny?”

All fingers point to those clutching dictionaries, grinning insolently,

“We’re just trying to expand our vocabulary,” said they, Teacher wasn’t buying it,

“I see you’re all trying to be smart with me,” responded she, defiance begets punishment,

“Put those away on the double, or you’ll be in trouble,

Try me again you’ll be pickin’ up papers, a reward for your classroom capers,”

Message received, loud and clear, but don’t expect a shred of regret,

Smug satisfaction achieved, objective completed,

Yes, ma’am, they still got it.

Pressure’s on, the strain of daily life takes its toll,

Stress clampin’ like leeches, draining the life from out their hosts,

Temptation to cross to the dark side and all that it’s offering,

To live sinfully, temporarily, to escape the bitter sting of reality,

Substances the catalyst to an altered state serving as a reprieve,

Making slaves of participants quicker than they can believe,

Might be easier said on some days, but it don’t have to be this way,

Unlock the secret within, totally free, to keep the blues at bay,

Talking ‘bout the best medicine so the cliché goes,

That of good old-fashioned laughter, and in large doses,

Physical, mental and social, can do you a world of good,

Alleviate stress and anger, trigger endorphins to lift the mood,

Defusing conflicts before explosions, strengthens social ties,

Good for the ticker and burns the calories, don’t believe the hype? Why not give it a try?

Sit down and let rip, gotta go beyond mere shits and giggles,

Go all in, laughin’ out loud and heavy breathing, tears streaming, abs burning, a few Muttleys too for good measure,

You’ll feel like a million afterwards, the weight of the world’s evaporated,

Mind’s clearer, outlook brighter, like you’d drawn the blinds up from out the darkness,

Promote it from the depths of sometime activity, once a day could keep the doc away,

Might be harder for some, we’re all fighting our own wars, but get it done anyway,

If nothing else it’s free, it won’t cost you a cent,

Watch a comedy film, read a book, a vid on youtube, whatever you can get,

Maybe take that trip back down memory lane to moments where laughs were had by all,

Surely there are a few of ‘em, chapters that get you going as you recall,

By all means seek help if needed, some battles may require back-up,

Slay the beast within by any means necessary, but don’t underestimate the power of laughing yourself silly.

For those that were around, remember the uproar that Pink Floyd done caused?

‘We don’t need no education’ blarin’ from the airwaves, got old heads everywhere in a daze,

Got society in a panic before N.W.A ordered young’uns to Fuck The Police,

Nothing like a hard-hitting anthem to flip the bird off at authority,

Could use some of that energy now, the education system’s trying to go woke,

Spectacularly so, taking it to new lows, it’s beyond a sick joke,

Peep at the seriously fucked-up fools running that place at NYC,

Reading, writing, arithmetic appear to take a back seat,

Never too early for the birds and bees, apparently, a lame script and milkshakes weren’t needed for this shit,

These fools fixin’ to stunt youthful innocence? Try not to hurl when you read about this,

Six-year olds should know only one type of playing by their lonesome,

The type where they play games all alone, not what grown-ups do under orders from their hormones,

Don’t be teaching ‘em ‘bout Jackin’ off or Jillin’ off, beating the meat or finger-painting,

$55k in tuition led to this, pity their poor parents,

Off with their heads, those that gave this the seal of approval,

Takes a sick mind to believe this is applicable to six-year old pupils,

Let ‘em read picture books, teach ‘em new words to write and spell,

Sharpen their grammar, teach ‘em art and music, guide ‘em through basic math problems,

Save that nocturnal shit for the teens at least, y’all are way past that proverbial line,

Y’all should be locked up for trying to ruin young minds,

Parents, mind your kids, be their first port of call,

Education shouldn’t be confined within classroom walls,

‘Hey! Teacher! Leave those kids alone’ got the masses twisted back then,

Might be time to let it loose again, someone gotta save the children.

You’ll see ‘em in the news, pass ‘em sittin’ on their patios, some got their heads in the clouds,

Creaky vessels, long-retired, once were warriors once were proud,

Gawked at like old relics propped up in the Museum of Natural History,

With varying degrees of admiration but from others scorn or pity,

Talking ‘bout former gladiators made a living through their physicality,

Fighting, tackling, climbing, lifting, stacking muscle for serious preening,

Not for the faint-hearted, it takes a special type of insanity,

Success not guaranteed and broken dreams are many, the summit’s reserved for the bold and gutsy,

But there’s hell to pay for putting the body through the ringer, in twilight years the the fallout become apparent,

The tools of the trade – strength, power and dexterity – become a distant memory,

Like ageing structures the joints once firm and dependable rendered rusted and creaky,

The consequences run deep, it’s a horror show down below,

The unlucky ones barely recognizable, often left forgotten and broke,

Check out some examples, the once garrulous icon rendered mute and shuffling,

Some of his peers, other former battlers, trapped in a haze from which they are defenseless,

The former master of the iron now immobile, hard to believe they once called him king,

Former living marble statues damaged, years of shooting up fucked up major vital organs,

Prime years seemed endless, their aura unconquerable, invincible, almost mythological,

But time remains undefeated, even B-Hop succumbed to it, save your breath ‘cuz Ponce ain’t found no fountain,

But hold onto those tears, keep the violins in their cases,

They had a dream and damn it they achieved it, peaks and valleys encountered but still they emerged triumphant,

That much must be celebrated, their hustle and fortitude respected,

Post-retirement struggles vary across warhorses but united over satisfaction and contentment,

Might make minor adjustments if they can re-run it, but for the most part wouldn’t change any bit of it,

Dangers lurked in their chosen adventures, certainly compared to other vocations,

They knew it from jump and accepted ‘em, fuck the naysayers calling ‘em reckless,

Your judgment is unwarranted, don’t talk down on what you don’t know,

The sacrifices were more than worth it, can’t stay drowning in sorrows,

The past is gone, legacies set in stone, save your gasps for horror films,

Like ‘em, loathe ‘em, admire ‘em or revile ‘em, in the end they did the damn thing.

There you go, hunched over that computer,

Locked and loaded waiting to hear from her, the highlight of your hours,

Met her on IG, shit’s so 2020’s, pics and vids got you hot and bothered, snagged you hook, line and sinker,

Liked and commented on damn near all her posts, even slid into her DM’s,

Left you on read again and again but your needy self wasn’t having it,

Then it caught your eye, a link in her bio, signed up for it pronto,

It’ll cost money and your dignity, lust and obsession obliterating reason,

Likened yourself to her savior, the one helping to keep her in business,

Burning a hole in your pocket but gotta live up to your calling,

As long as she’s churning out content you remain her willing customer, to hell with the real world and real people, got you a girlfriend even if she’s virtual,

In your mind she’s yours alone despite other gawkers in the ranks,

Y’all vying for her attention but she’s only looking to make bank,

Mad flexing that simp game just to please, feeding her lines topped with extra cheese,

Got you thinking you’re hitting homers but you know not the tricks up her sleeve,

Here she’s responding to you but don’t get carried away,

She don’t want no date, just hawking incentives for your extra pay,

Give an individual power you’ll see their true character,

Stroke the wrong ego then the mask will slip away quickly,

She was sweetness personified but excessive praises flicked a switch,

The pettiness is out along with that toxic celebrity mentality,

No more Miss Nice Girl, get ready to have your world upturned,

Your lovesick platitudes countered with haughty derision, can’t underestimate the chilling power of words,

Treat her like a goddess she’ll treat you like a peasant, just another disposable source of income,

So she turns it up a notch to reward you for your pandering,

Demanding that you prove your devotion through tasks base and humiliating,

At her command you’re acting the fool and debasing yourself in public,

Her taunts cut deep, call it the fallout of your simping,

Gave her your balls on a silver platter for the sake of some phantom relationship,

Sooner or later it’ll hit you, you’ll never have her and you’ll never hit it,

Once you’re used up, cleaned-up and finessed, talk about hard medicine,

You ain’t no alpha or nobleman or king, just a sucker and object of pity,

She’s doing what she can to get by and survive, you chose to be her patsy,

She’s hustling hard like the masses by any means possible,

It’s worked for her with flying colors, for all her faults you can’t stay mad at her,

Don’t hate the player, Bro, you chose to fall victim to the game,

Save your tears once you crash, it’ll only add to the shame,

Lead with your mind next time, keep your dick and ego on the shelf,

Hate to say it, Homie, you’re going out sad, yes, YOU PLAYED YOURSELF.

It’s often said you can’t love another unless you love yourself first,

Being kind to others be child’s play while an inside job requires hard work,

Expectations, everybody’s got ‘em, ain’t no crime not to live up to ‘em,

We’re only human, we win and we falter, fuck ‘em if they’re blind to your genuine efforts,

No two people are the same, differences extend to capabilities, save for rarities and extreme anomalies,

Gifts and natural talents, everybody’s got ‘em, for some immediately apparent, others may search far and wide for it,

But there has to be a balance, hence the existence of weaknesses,

Folks be mad-flexing on the surface, ain’t nobody buyin’ it, behind the scenes secrets heavily guarded,

With dedication they can be corrected, life’s about perpetual growth and learning,

You’ll stumble and fall, too, but you gotta trust the process,

It’s an exercise in futility, tying self-worth to what you can and can’t do,

Why let mistakes and failures totally consume you?

Setbacks are a pain, that much is understandable, but will you take steps towards redemption or chip away and crumble?

Realize, too, there’s always someone better in some aspects, but that don’t mean you’re useless and pathetic,

They may have a greater aptitude for it or perhaps a greater level of experience,

You won’t always have the answers but no shame in admitting temporary ignorance,

And you may dominate in other areas, rout the competition with your abilities,

They’ll look up to you like their idol, yet you’re hung up on perceived deficiencies,

Meanwhile you’re neglecting what you’re blessed with, gotta nurture ‘em or lose ‘em,

What you take for granted you’ll part ways with, don’t let your assets become your losses,

Continue to learn and grow, become a jack of many trades,

Master the ones that matter, but missteps need not end in shame,

You must be brave enough to own ‘em, only then will you be forgiven, then make a conscious effort never to repeat ‘em,

Perfection’s an illusion, to master all things, literally, is an impossibility,

If the key to your self-esteem is their approval, that’s some next-level insanity,

Reclaim your self-worth from the hands of others, they don’t deserve such power,

You’re limited edition, never forget it, fuck ‘em and their expectations,

Twenty four hours in a day, each one nudging you towards the end,

They’re gone forever once elapsed, will you waste ‘em warring with yourself?

Throw off the shackles they’ve placed upon you and the ones self-inflicted,

Live a life that makes you proud first and foremost, only then will you be truly living.

There you go again, daydreaming, same old subjects that the mind’s regurgitating,

Comparing notes, mental inventories of various conquests, fame and former glories,

Not sure if you made the grade, the competition’s rather stiff,

Eyes may roll and heads may shake when they learn with whom you’re competing with,

No this ain’t no classroom shit, this is proper grown-up shit, somehow your missus is your secret competition,

Yeah that’s right, kinda strange ain’t it? First let’s take a history lesson,

Seemed innocuous, that chance encounter, love found between polar opposites,

She was gifted, photogenic, talented, that combination payin’ dividends,

Him from shakier foundations but defied the cynics, haters and the party poopers,

Chance encounter on the subway after hours, protected her from pesky would-be predators,

Got to talking, kept her company ‘til her ride arrived to come collect her,

Exchanged numbers, ain’t missed a chance to steal those precious conversations,

Year and a half together ‘fore he sucked it up and asked her for her hand in marriage,

Lived happily ever after, that one can’t be disputed,

But behind the laughs and tender moments a flame threatens to blow a gasket,

Her earning power, life achievements, public image, they be dwarfin’ all of his,

Got him paranoid that they be judging why she’s the one supporting him,

No he ain’t no hype man, slacker or hangers-on, certainly not some trophy husband,

Dude more than earns his keep, time ain’t dimmed that heart, ethos and the work ethic,

But he can’t outshine her nor outwork her, got him running on that hamster wheel,

Legs churning, hiding to nothing, in his mind he’s still inadequate,

But it don’t have to be that way, step off and count your blessings, bro,

She chose you from a line of suitors, surely you are someone special,

Why focus on perceived deficiencies than what you’re bringin’ to the table?

She’d have dropped your ass if you were useless and certainly if you’re unstable,

Part ways with this toxicity, ain’t nothing noble with going on like this,

Dudes be turning good gals off when they stay petty, childish, immature and jealous,

She’s your wife and not your rival, treating her as such will lead to your unraveling,

In the mirror lies your competition, it’s clichéd but the truth lies there among the drivel,

Fuck what others say ‘cuz if you play it right she’ll always choose to be with you,

That’s the long and short of it and it’s really all that matters, too.