Tag: Matthew Maitland

Cross The Line – 1st August 2026

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

we tell a
story
an illusion of control

a cold comfort
in mourning

lines drawn in sand

random; unplanned

rally the troops around
fighting to the death
for their story

til strangers
on familiar grounds
we used to call home

Inspired by the various border wars around the world and copying the syllable count from a previously published poem by Matthew Maitland, including the borrowing of the final stanza. The poem has since been made unavailable.

Today’s Daily Stoic poem:

Don’t Go Expecting Perfection

Why ponder the existence of nuisance?
It’s holding you back from getting started
Best to make do with how things are
And take on the task wholehearted

The Arrangement – 7th June 2026

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

*The first line was written by Matthew Maitland (link gone again!) and this poem is somewhat of a response to his.

*I wrote so much and it didn’t matter;

it looked as if nothing had changed.

But I was looking out, instead of in,

which is where everything was rearranged.

Today’s Daily Stoic poem:

Finding The Right Mentors

Your parents may not have been the best
And you didn’t get to choose
Find a mentor who can put to the test
Your aspirations and your views

An Excavation – 1st September 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

i once was a poet
turned to stone
and sad

once threw arrows
of hope
that clipped wings

i see
and fail
and follow

i join
the wounded
on our long march

a little less
alive than yesterday

arteries harden
with the fear
of responsibility

poetry saves you
from nothing

a hole
dug with words

I was taken with the despair in Matthew Maitland’s poem ‘i once was poet (turned to stone)’ and wanted to add in a little of my own! The italicised words are from Matthew’s original poem.