Don’t burn out Take good care Let the others Do their share. Eat good food Sleep enough Pace yourself when Things get tough. I say these words And mean it too When they relate To them or you. But to myself They don’t apply Even though I try and try To take a break And … Continue reading Burnout ditty.
Ode to a toe.
Rushing, rushing, rushing Pushing, pushing, pushing Trying, trying, trying To fit more in. Shutting out the warning signs Fitter Faster Stronger Virtuously signalling Absolving any sin. Until a clumsy accident Upsets a metatarsal Who coughs and says politely “You need to listen up. I hurt, you’re tired You need to rest You can’t keep running … Continue reading Ode to a toe.
I can’t.
I’m done with trying to please you I’m done with fitting in I’m done with losing battles that I’m well equipped to win. I’m done with keeping quiet With being meek and good With listening to the critics With all their oughts and shoulds. So now I’m on a different path And headed somewhere new … Continue reading I can’t.
Remembering Srebrenica
A short week ago I was in Bosnia. I was there as part of an education delegation with Remembering Sebrenica Scotland, the charity which works to ensure that the stories of what happened in Bosnia in the 1990s are not forgotten and that we do not allow the atrocities that happened to be repeated. Home … Continue reading Remembering Srebrenica
Michael Rosen’s Getting Better
I have just finished the book “Getting Better” by Michael Rosen. I have loved Michael, his writing, his performing and his approach to life for a very long time. When I heard that he was desperately ill with Covid, back in 2020, I found myself overwhelmingly distressed at the idea that he might not survive … Continue reading Michael Rosen’s Getting Better
Written, it will be remembered.
Lest we forget So weighty Or not. How can we save the words Others forgot? Spoken so gently Into the wind Drifting away Along valleys Through forests And floating on up To the tops. Then over the summit And gone. Talk about us You say next, not so gently. When you go to your homes … Continue reading Written, it will be remembered.
At Schiphol Airport
Any European passports?….. this way. A tug on my heartstrings. A memory of when we were together Partners Lovers Family. But now in my hand A second-rate Barely dark blue Confirmation of our separation. Yet for these next few days I will breathe in the scent of you Hear your diverse tongues Lean in to … Continue reading At Schiphol Airport
Heed the dragon.
Below is a poem that I have written for everyone who is going into the holidays feeling battle fatigued. I am a head teacher and I have been connecting with many, many colleagues of late who feel that they are running on empty. However, I have also spoken with many other people in all sorts … Continue reading Heed the dragon.
Maybe
Maybe it’s my age And maybe it’s my sex And maybe it’s my personality. Maybe it’s post-covid And maybe it’s my background And maybe maybe maybe it’s just me. But every time I wonder And look for ways to cope By reading, searching, looking somewhere else. I end back here sitting and finding words within … Continue reading Maybe
Us in the middle.
We are both so different And yet the so the same. Me over here You over there Us in the middle. Trying our hardest Doing our best Sometimes so brilliant Others a mess. Me over here You over there Us in the middle. Wanting it better Needing it so For him and for her Wherever … Continue reading Us in the middle.
lenabellina 