It had been a long weekend.
The whole family was on edge,
the kitchen had been a bubbling mess
of noisy cooking and loud emotions.
This Sunday lunch was going to be a chore.
Dad got up to say grace,
but then he said something I did not expect -
Thank you Lord that I am alive.
For the first time in years
I saw him for what he was -
an old man with grey hair,
a growing belly, a sinking face.
Gnarled, scared hands that had built a family
protruded from a pinstriped shirt.
A history had worked into him
like steam and I had not noticed.
But there he was, alive, and I had stopped.
I looked down to my own hand, hoverin
When we came back to the car
it had been in the sun all day,
and the fight we were in simmered voicelessly
all the way home.
It did not explode as I wanted
it stayed caged like two dogs
divided by thin wire, growling
and suffering in the heat.
In the house you went and sulked
I made something in the kitchen
careful to make as much noise
as I could.
We should have shouted it out.
Im cool now, forget about it,
but a hot grudge boils
when youre close.
I couldnt bear to let the song stop,
because I had other things to do
I left it to run in an empty room,
a haunting sound playing out to itself,
the tune of a river through quiet valleys.
There was only the knock of the needle
when I returned.
Out of reach, the melody fluttered for days
like twinkling bird song. It was some time
before I played it again so that it kept
in the air, perfect, unheard.
It had been a long weekend.
The whole family was on edge,
the kitchen had been a bubbling mess
of noisy cooking and loud emotions.
This Sunday lunch was going to be a chore.
Dad got up to say grace,
but then he said something I did not expect -
Thank you Lord that I am alive.
For the first time in years
I saw him for what he was -
an old man with grey hair,
a growing belly, a sinking face.
Gnarled, scared hands that had built a family
protruded from a pinstriped shirt.
A history had worked into him
like steam and I had not noticed.
But there he was, alive, and I had stopped.
I looked down to my own hand, hoverin
When we came back to the car
it had been in the sun all day,
and the fight we were in simmered voicelessly
all the way home.
It did not explode as I wanted
it stayed caged like two dogs
divided by thin wire, growling
and suffering in the heat.
In the house you went and sulked
I made something in the kitchen
careful to make as much noise
as I could.
We should have shouted it out.
Im cool now, forget about it,
but a hot grudge boils
when youre close.
Tesco Vouchers For Schools by juan-pablo, literature
Literature
Tesco Vouchers For Schools
Going through my childhood chest,
the beat-up oak box that still has its key,
I found a wad of school tokens
stuffed behind all the keepsakes,
ten years out of date.
They came from all the family,
and they bulged in their red band.
But Mr Quinn was always so fierce,
every morning my bundle was bigger,
and churned like burning worms
in my bag under my chair.
I cost my school five hundred pounds
and when I empty this beat-up oak box
Ill have to smuggle the silly brick
even though Im grown up, damn it,
as if it would shout to them all
and bring Mr Quinn back again
to ask with sadism in his voice
Whats t
The only thrill this week by juan-pablo, literature
Literature
The only thrill this week
Last night I slept badly.
My work spread over half my bed -
the odds and ends of writings
were foaming bedclothes.
Ive spent too long at computer screens,
I need to feel freedom,
but the atmosphere of work work work
keeps me dry inside.
And all I know is a flashing cursor
on white backgrounds
that winks all the way from across the room
and never lets me out.
The only thrill Ive had this week
is when I showered and forgot my towel.
I peeked round the door to check the coast was clear
and shot right across the hall.
A little while later there are steps up the stairs
And I know Ive timed it right.
The wet p
Shining Shoes and Champagne by juan-pablo, literature
Literature
Shining Shoes and Champagne
I got under the table with my cousin.
Id seen his shining black shoes,
and in the space we had between us
we tossed a miniature rugby ball
with the hushed glee of hideaways.
We fell into a simple rhythm
as loafers and stilettos clicked by.
Now and again, wed shoot out a hand
and grab the bouncing toy.
The cloth was pulled up,
the adult world a show beyond my knees,
and aunt Miranda said Are you boys
having fun? The speeches
will be starting soon.
I stood up straight and sipped champagne
but squatted briefly back,
gave my cousin his first taste from my glass,
for which I received a bubbling kiss
tha
Current Residence: Pembrokeshire, Wales / Bristol, England Shell of choice: Muscle, because thar be food in them shells Favourite cartoon character: Squidward - Spongebob Squarepants, Pato - Pocoyo, Ike Broflovski - South Park Personal Quote: Hullo
Favourite Movies
Withnail & I
Favourite Bands / Musical Artists
They don't all fit! Gogol Bordello, Alphabeat, Joanna Newsom, MGMT
Favourite Writers
Christopher Marlowe, Dylan Thomas, William Golding, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Roald Dahl
Favourite Games
Final Fantasy 7 and Okami. I love a bit of Pro Evo also
Just a note to let you know I'm still alive really! Sorry I've not been involved in DA at all lately, but I haven't been in an arty environment at all lately.
I wish you all a happy new year and that all wishes come alive in the next 12 months :)
I'm uploading all the poems I submitted in my portfolio for this term and updating those that are already here with the final versions. I hope you enjoy anything you go through :D
It's almost exactly two years ago I did my last tagged entry, so good timing on Lyvyan's ~Lyvyan (https://www.deviantart.com/lyvyan) part to tag me. 'tis time to reflect on all that has happened and where to go next maybe.
1. I have just finished my English Literature degree in Cardiff uni. I'm now a million miles ahead in terms of academic thinking from when I started. The rest is a little hard to assess. I don't know my marks yet, but I'll probably get a 2.1
2. I'm looking forward to going to my first music festival this summer!
3. My current favourite band is MGMT
4. I have a mandolin which Ceri :iconcerimair: is going to paint for me 'cus she's nice like that
5. I