For My Pal Al - TJ

'Yo-yo' is not just a slang term often used by black people.
It is actually an object/toy that can bring much joy and is very simple.
A single string attached to smooth roundness that's green (or any other colour[s] you choose)
And when you walk the figurative dog
The bright red flashes can light up the dark

Up
And
Down
And
Up
And
Down

It's more that a finger, string and plastic
It's a chord of love that deep into the heart sinks
And you can't contemplate your life without it
This is when you become friends and the moments will forever bring you happiness.

May you and your yo-yo have many a good time
I hope it never gets to the point where you say goodbye.

[untitled] - John Feast

I used to be innocent

I used to be free

Guilt and regret could not touch me.



They carried me away, they did, they did

Somewhere dark and damp is where they hid

Off to work for days that slid

Into weeks and months and years



They smelt of dusty chalk and tea

And ever did speak eloquently

Hammering various pegs constantly

Into uniform shaped holes



Finally, when form emerged

All trace previous had been purged

Enthusiasm no longer surged

And the fire in eyes snuffed out



“Good job” said the men

Drinking tea again

“For our jobs there’s no need to fear!

We’ve beaten and hacked and clawed them into shape

So we’re sure to top the tables this year”

Lifes Heart Beat- Lauren Jackson

Enclosed in the bubble of existence
I eagerly rummage around
But the disorientation that holds me tight
Refuses my mind with sound.
The sound of a rhythm constant in my head
With a tight grip over my soul
This resilient substance in my life
Its one I can’t control.
Its force is beyond my power
Its pull, is oh so strong
But I have learnt from experience
That it is often wrong.
The direction the heart guides one in
Is treacherous indeed
At once I thought myself stronger
That I could break off – succeed.
The rhythm however dominates the mind
The sound guides ones thoughts
And as it beats on
I realise I’m following its course.

The Unwanted Gift - Gio

A gift is usually given with the reception of gratitude but my story is quite a surreal one and one that is not composed of pure joy. For I am an object that is not admired as it should be. Its very strange though since it makes absolutely no sense to be treated this way… I mean A lot of time, effort and, for want of a better word, complicated engineering goes into creating me. And don’t get me wrong, generally, initially I am appreciated, in fact celebrated. For a while, I become the most celebrated and cherished possession for some people. For some moments…

Then things suddenly change, and I have no idea why. I can go from being the greatest thing to happen to someone, to something people don’t give two thoughts about. I am thrown away on a daily basis for pointless reasons. I am destroyed by self abuse, neglect and carelessness. I am stolen in conflicts, stolen in war, stolen in crime, stolen in moments of inhuman cruelty. And yet I’m still created, brought into a world that doesn’t want me. Why don’t they understand? Why don’t they realise? Why don’t they just…

Once I was one of the greatest gifts given too mankind. All too quickly I am forgotten as to how precious I am.
Cherish your gift.

Dreamer or Schemer- Gio

Sometimes certain defining characteristics aren't so,
That fine line can become blurred in examination.
Say for instance motives and results.
Two people may decide on similar actions,
However fruition may separate good intentions from a good plan.
But can you tell from the into what the outro will sound like?
Or does spontaneity play a much needed forming role?
If thoughts do not make it into the physical realm are you just a dreamer?
It is somewhere in between these two dimensions where i sometimes reside.
A dreamer, who knows not or has the means to transform ideas
Or perhaps a schemer who both desires and has the resources to?
Although such a person may induce connotations of craftiness, is it productive?
To choose between the two for self would be a difficult call,
Since I suppose everyone has a bit of both within them.
So maybe that line should stay out of focus? Joining the fantasy and reality who knows?
All I know is I shall keep scheming and occasionally slip into slumber to keep dreaming.