Maximus the ambitious amphibian

'Stand where you are, we let all these moments pass us by', was a lyric from a song I would hear bellowed through the speakers, on occasion. They would pulsate in and out as if they were coming to entrap me in this concave in the garden. I was afraid, very afraid of them. Billy, the fiend that had control of my whole livelihood every time he allowed me to feed and every time I would be returned back to my home. As I lay in my home under the sparse blue and black shades which always looked down on me, no matter how far up the garden I managed to go, is this a miracle? I would wonder what the stars were, if they could see me, hear me, feel me and wonder what their names were. Were they lonely, was it a sociable place up there? I would see Billy staring at me from above. Of one thing I knew about him, he loved me more than any human.

Alas, I was not comparable to this thing called nature. He would travel in a box of metal, which alighted with foreign sounds would make my belly nervous. The sounds would resonate through my sensitive ear drums. In his box of metal, he would carry all the 'important items' - the devices which allow them to define all the terms they are unaware of, as they read them, to colloquialise their standard language in a textualised form, as the electromagnetic radiation burns away their brain cells.

I used to love the art of reading, now I loathe it. Billy will no longer bring forth a newspaper for me to exercise and to dry my feet on. No longer will I Maximus the Amphibian, be allowed to ponder on the context of the novel dear Billy and his parents are reading. For now all the covers look identical. Phillipa and Veronica, the Kois tell me that I am simply exulting wasted air bubbles. For, I am nurtured correctly, my belly is always injected with that which it requires, my life is never intolerable. I will make little impact however, they say. I will never be able to travel like Billy. Never look among the hordes of scenery, the trees that collect droplets of rain and pollute the air an aura so magical. I will never have my eyes opened by an abundance of water falling off the peaks of mountain tops, as if to the clutched by open hands. I’ll never ride a yellow cab, cross the busy streets of Tokyo, glide along the waters in Venice as my reflection gazes back at me. They told me all these things were out of my reach. They told, because I was a small amphibian that there should be ambition. I felt otherwise. I have some dreams and I’m dreaming of something I’m sure that I’m capable.

Maximus died with the hour as he was not aware of the crossing the road rules.

Lying on my Death Bed: Still Chasing

As the glistening sunlight broke the seal to my eyelids, memories faded from my obscurity. I had lied, cheated and killed to be where I am. All of the above would be acceptable had I had something to show for myself. I had never lived in the same area for more than 16 months, since leaving home at the age of 15. Brixton, Cosham, Boscombe: none of those will fill your mind with positive thoughts no doubt. I just couldn’t stay grounded, in a literal sense I was always on the run from something or someone.

As my sight started to catch up with my thoughts, I felt unsure as to what I’d achieved by getting here. I was in the depths of Cornwall (some 100 miles off the city). Amongst my failed attempts and my successful triumphs there is always a path, I’m sure my yellow-brick-road which was intentionally planned for Hollywood became a little mis-led.

I wasn’t one for complaints for the challenge of a chase is much more exhilarating. It’s the way to keep alive. Creativity is my way forward, but it brings me only closer to solidarity. I’m currently termed as homeless, it has not always been this way, but I couldn’t keep squatting. The outside held much more promise.

As I re-remember my awakening thoughts I realise that I have mis-guided you, for I have never killed in the physical term. Though I’m sure emotionally will always feel worse, as the recipient carries on living through it. Lying on my death bed, realising I’d challenged myself inexplicably by chasing the silenced desires of my childhood. They’d never been louder than now however, as the chase caught up with the challenge and the sun was becoming the moon.

A contrast of Catastrophe

The stage embraced the presence. The audience received the sight. The lights sucked the life of melancholy but with every step he took, my heart was walking away with him. His best moments filled my eyes with tears, his arising smile, the start of my instant sadness. A contrast of catastrophe! As the music rang, my mind spiralled on a life of its own. I remembered the first chord, the first rhythm, the first composition. I remembered the first drive, the first fan, the first CD. After the firsts, well, life sped up, I became a mimic. It’s hard to be an individual when you’re feeling forgotten. I’m sure he still cared. Gifts were sent regularly, worth more money than my hands ever had grasped before.

Sometimes I understand that I may be perceived as selfish but believe me it’s all wrapped in love. This division of emotion usually gets the better of me, I guess I’m trying to make a point here, that the Beatles got it right. I am proud, don’t fail to believe that, however every now and then I become nostalgic. I’m content for his life though I’d give up almost anything just to have an occasional relationship with my son. A relationship that doesn’t include his rise to fame, success, Hollywood friends or multi-platinum discs! I long for the time when life wasn’t so simple.

Home is What you call it (First draft)

Home is what you call it,
Torture - it is my slave,
I’m growing tired of living,

Each day closer to my grave,
The remarkable and the witty,
They’re a-crossing the seas,

Exploring something extraordinary,
While I’m here on my knees,
Life is downright depressing,

Though your trade is upright oppressing,
Though the spires and spectres will gather their heir,
And the gathering that dilutes will be in your lair,
I may sound sad and lonely,
And the truth I guess is I am,
But I’d rather be the only
Than compress and be a phony,

Diplomacy is not needed,
Unconditionally I love you too,
The lies are spreading through mouths
And the liar hums a tune,

For I’m not really bitter,
I’m just swallowing my tongue,
If we were out this country,
We’d be smiling under this gun.

Life is downright depressing,
And your smile is slightly stressing,
Here the rich and poor gather for everything
And their gathering comes to absolutely nothing,
I know these were elections,
And truly I missed the point,
The point of my interaction,
Was to admit to my confession.

My cosmic ocean is running dry,
Your voice only a memory,
Memories are lonely at best,
Nothing lasts forever, stars also die

Home is what they call it, Home is what you make it.

Xmas Poem 4. (Vikki)

Vikki,
Alongside this card, I present you with your bible
May it serve you well as you next unleash the rebel
inside of you, permitting our ears to your way of words,
Now you can discover whether you thought it first,
Pairs of pears, or picking plums out the limelight,
Twas publishable, so no one can call it trite,
I guess I’ve tried to buy you ‘the one‘,
To help ripen your options in the fruit bowl of pun-ch.

Xmas Poem 3. (Coco)

Our time is sparse but we'll meet again, at the next liquid congregation
Whisked over the canyon, burnt our guise, shared a summer paradise,
Watch an Italian film, on spontaneity, made reality out of a dream,
Seeing bands based on a song, relaxing days with koppabums,
You’re like a drug, use exclamation marks far too much,
usually talking in incoherence, many conversations making little sense,
There are so many memories I have with you, and so many more I’m sure we’ll live through!
Love you coca-cola, Zimmerzimemr buddy, let’s period drama and simmer in the beauty!

Xmas Poem 2. (Emma)

Emma, you are purrfect, purr
Now it’s raining cats and dogs, grrr

You clawed your way into University
Even when you’re angry you’re not in a Furry,

Just usually spout a little rant out your meowth,
Always land on your feet, but always yell ouch,

You’re not the kind of person to litter and run away,
I’d imagine you’d sit on the floor and get lost in space,

If you were wound up, you’d bark or bite,
You are pretty much always right, (change line)

Sometimes you’re outta cash and really paw,
the only cat whom people express ‘phwoar’

I’m glad you don’t surprise us with a dead mouse,
it’s good you don’t wander into a random house,

I’m quite glad that you’re not a feline,
glad you don’t smile when it’s your litter time,

Glad you don’t leave mid-conversation
Merry Christmas, and happy Celebrations!