Tag: poem

Rotten Words – 30th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Weakness of various kinds may lurk in a flabby lip*
The ill-bred then ill-led by courtier cowards
History’s dustbin overflows with rotten words let slip
A moral vacuum created in Babel’s towers

When the logos kings vanish, only the dirt remains
So sift the glittering trash of golden whispers
In search of the truth which in turn explains
The fragment promises of unwritten scriptures

*I forget who said this quote but I read it in The Decline and Fall of the British Empire by Piers Brendon.

Today I’m feeling:

A little better with a bit more enthusiasm. Coffee was great at Utopia. Nu came and got his shots too before heading off to Chiang Mai. I finished reading Persepolis, which was a very interesting read, before coming home and playing some guitar and listening to some music.

And a little later I finished reading Consider The Lobster. New books to start for the new year in a couple of days.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Hanging on to my old Xbox and cranking it for the first time this year (I think). I spent an hour driving around in GTA. I also accompanied this playtime with some Glenfiddich. It almost feels like Christmas.

The best thing about today was:

Finishing a couple of books before the end of the year.

I’ve almost finished downloading the complete Marvel reading order and I will add those to my comic book reading schedule.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

Anchan asked me for money to go to Chiang Mai but I felt like I don’t quite believe her at the moment. I also haven’t been paid myself yet, though I do have cash spare. I’m happy to help her but I don’t want to just be an ATM whenever she feels like it.

Art took this picture as I modelled for another Utopia assignment.

No Bromides – 29th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

Poetry is perfect for cliche
It’s a better way
To say what I want to say!

Sometimes a synonym will do
It’s true!
At least it’s been thought through

Rewriting what’s previously written
I’m smitten
With the hand already bitten!

No poems of autumn or spring
So please bring
Me less cliched words to sing!

Written for a task at AllPoetry.com in connection with cliche. Cliches are often useful, so long as they are not overused, and often express exactly what is required. For me though, I really don’t like cliched poetic topics like seasons or flowers, unless done really well and bringing a new dimension to the subject. I have a pet peeve with some words too but I can’t remember them now because as soon as I see them I click away from reading and forget about them immediately. Next time I see one, I want to try and understand why it is that I dislike it so much! I looked up synonyms of cliche to find bromide! Haha! Never used that word in my life.

Today I’m feeling:

Not sure yet! The cats woke me up well before I wanted and after feeding them I decided to get going. Still dizzy and feeling very hungry despite a big meal last night, or maybe because of it.

I’m not sure what time Amy and Nu got home last night but Amy was happily singing her favourite songs in bed before she finally fell asleep and I was able to get back to it too.

I felt pretty good after being out last night. Even though I wasn’t drinking and still felt tired, I wasn’t bored or grumpy.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Being woken up at 5pm as I was enjoying a good sleep. I then got up and we went to the city for a really nice Chinese meal.

The best thing about today was:

Going to the optometrist and getting my eyes checked and ordering some cheap bifocal lenses for the spare frames I have. The lady there spoke little English but we managed to communicate everything eventually and I was happy not to spend as much as I was expecting.

My eyesight hasn’t changed so my old lenses are still ok but I was wondering if they were contributing to my dizziness. I guess not.

The lady was also the spitting image of my student iPhone and I asked her if she had a sister but she said she didn’t.

I was glad to do all this by myself instead of depending on Amy. Let’s see if the glasses I receive in the end are actually what I want!

I took this picture because this is the extent of the excitement of living where we do.

Excalibur – 28th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

I believe, I believe
I believe the King of England
Can pull the sword from the stone

I believe, I believe
I believe that if enough people believe
He’ll be safely sat on the throne

I believe, I believe
I believe even if this divine mandate
Is a set-up, I still believe

I believe, I believe
I believe in suppressing those who don’t
And the rest we can deceive

Inspired by Existential Comics 555

Today I’m feeling:

Less dizzy but also more disoriented. Maybe I’m not quite awake yet, though.

(evening) I feel like I haven’t woken up properly all day. I kinda napped and slept two or three times through the day with little energy for anything else except reading.

Health:

Physical: 5
Mental: 5

Today I’m grateful for:

Nu paying for dinner at the restaurant tonight and driving us there, though he and Amy are drinking now, so I may have to drive us home.

(later) Amy wanted to keep drinking and to dance and kindly offered to let me go home early. Nu was happy enough to stay too, and they would take a Grab home later.

The best thing about today was:

Hmmm… perhaps the morning coffee, reading Love and Rockets and 2000AD, more David Foster Wallace. I barely did anything else.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I’m trying to stay positive in this bar where Amy and Nu are drinking but I just feel sleepy again.

I took this picture in the restaurant because I thought it was pretty funny.

Human Comedy – 27th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

He’s a puzzle, perhaps a piece missing
No joker himself, he’s just the joke
And with his mouth engaged in dissing
He’s the bear that you must not poke

She’s a puzzle, perhaps in too many pieces
Scattered across the floor in such distress
And as the pressure ever increases
It was all a game, she must confess

Today I’m feeling:

Dizzy again. It’s more annoying than anything else. I don’t feel sick or anything but just like it takes extra effort to focus.

I went to school for about an hour, handing out the cookies Amy had made, which got a big thumbs-up from students.

I came home and got into bed, did some blog updates and reading before a nice one-hour nap.

Still a bit dizzy and disoriented. It’s like being drunk but without any fun feeling whatsoever. On the upside, Amy is feeling a little better each day.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

A combination of Makro and Amy. Between them, Amy put together an amazing dish of spaghetti with salmon mince balls.

The best thing about today was:

With little else happening today, Amy’s dinner really hit the spot. Both Nu and I were super hungry, especially after all the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Still struggling to focus while talking to people was a bit frustrating. I wanted to be more eloquent and coherent.

I particularly noticed this whilst talking with Champ, who is back after two years in Melbourne. It was good to see him again, but I’m not sure how I came across. I didn’t tell him that I’m not feeling well, though.

Something I learned today?

Nu travelled up from Bangkok and will stay with us for a few days. He has no plan while here but just wanted to get away from the bustle of the city. We discovered that he is in partnership with a Thai sake brewery in Chiang Mai!

I took this picture because our skinny friend surprised us by standing in the driveway when we got back from the shops.

Freefall Reply – 26th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

This haiku was posted by Gary B. Dean at AllPoetry.com on 23rd July 2024.

Freefall

All leaves fall away
From the branches that lift them
For their only flight

I liked it and wanted to reply. So I did.

What is the meaning
Hidden in these words of yours?
How to understand?

The leaves fall away
Because the tree doesn’t need
Them in the winter

Once served their purpose
What use are they to the tree?
Good compost coming!

Today I’m feeling:

Dizzy though my brain was fairly active once I woke up.

I went to Utopia and sent work for my students to do, though I expect very few of them to bother.

I chatted with Bruno for an hour or so, but had to concentrate hard to stay focused. I talked more than I have in a long time and quickly got tired, so I came back home to rest again.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 6

Today I’m grateful for:

Kru Jern again for following up on her class to send me the work I assigned them today. Only one student submitted my work during class time.

The best thing about today was:

Reading comics. I didn’t do much else!

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I found that my order for cat food got cancelled, though I haven’t received any refund yet. It’s annoying as we have almost run out and it may take extra time to get more delivered.

I took this picture because Amy and I were both surprised to find this cactus looking like this.

The Wonder Train – 25th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 16 Comments

A whisper and a wonder
Will all the aunties be there?
Where will everyone sit?
Can I watch the fire faeries flit
As I fall asleep in the quiet comfy chair?

Adult breath whiffs of magic
Will I ever learn these ways?
Maybe I’ll sing a song
And the uncles will sing along
With my series of 20 short plays

Is that bird following me?
Better to be clear of the busy sky
Reindeer running through
Clickety-clack and choo-choo-choo
Where did he go and why?

The sparkle of new toys
The surprise of morning snow
Why all the rush
For the melt to the slush?
Enquiring minds want to know

Shared with What Do You See? #268 picture prompt (above)

Today I’m feeling:

Dizzy and tired. I skipped exercise again and was a little unsteady on my feet. I went to school but came back home after an hour.

Amy was burning up with fever this morning, too, so we went off to the hospital.

Apparently, I have some ear problem that is causing my dizziness, as opposed to it being a brain problem. No idea of the cause and just got medicine to treat the symptoms.

I also got an appointment for my health checkup next week, as well as a physio appointment for my shoulder.

Health:

Physical: 5
Mental: 5

Today I’m grateful for:

The doctor at MFU hospital and all the staff, who were very diligent despite my poor mood and state.

The best thing about today was:

For the hour that I was at school, there was a very good feeling and everyone was happy.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

The doctor suggested cutting down on caffeine. Noooooo!

Something I learned today?

Don’t park your car in Bandu Mueang Mai at twilight, as it will get covered in bird shit!

Nomsen took this picture of herself after stealing my phone out of my pocket.

Across The Continent – 24th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

An entire life within the crashing waves
Hands held and shown what to do
Never stand with your back to the ocean
Ride the rips just passing through

Now the city is the best teacher
From drill bits to bureaucratic affairs
Those unflinching bureaucratic eyes
Offer little with their dead-eyed stares

These are days to tell about
Belonging everywhere ever been
Sick of these city shenanigans
You must choose one it seems

Continuing the theme from Across The Room. Inspired, borrowed and paraphrased from this post at Spinning Visions.

Today I’m feeling:

Not so good after a bad sleep due to all the spice from dinner. I skipped exercise for a little extra rest but this morning my stomach is still in a state of gurgling.

I’m also still not sure if I might be getting Amy’s flu. Without exercise, I couldn’t stand a cold shower this morning and today is my first jacket day of winter.

Around 9.30am, my stomach had settled and I could enjoy the rest of the day more. Still tired, though but at least don’t feel like any flu symptoms are developing.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

The wooden scent blocks in the car that are slowly removing the smells of it once being Amy’s mum’s and slowly becoming mine.

The best thing about today was:

Listening to students explain their decisions about some English work I gave them about the Thai TV show Hormones.

I was surprised at a couple of students at how close-minded they were, whilst a couple of others were able to well articulate their thoughts.

I’ll try to find some other topics and questions like this.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

A couple of students in my last class were quite rude in their exclamations for the class to go faster so that they could leave early. I was firm with them the first time, threatened them the second and made fun of them the third time.

It was a bit annoying but maybe it was frustrating for them as they didn’t know how long the class was going to take, while I did and knew that they would have plenty of time.

Something I learned today?

A TikTok video taught me the significance of Chinese chopsticks, why they are the length they are and why one end is round and the other square.

Pin took this picture and sent it to me later with a note, ‘so cute’, which is very kind of her to say!

Bombs And Bread – 23rd December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

Can you name even one of the dead?
Whilst dropping both bombs and bread
You defend these actions instead
And defiantly nodding your head

But killing kids is not self-defence
Spreading peace through violence
This is no place for indifference
This is no time for your silence

Since when has questioning charred corpses
Been more offensive than actual charred corpses?

Today I’m feeling:

Tired and dizzy, especially after exercise. I didn’t sleep well last night and woke up tired. At school now and feel a little out of it.

Amy woke up coughing and saying she is sick, so perhaps I have something coming on, too.

I felt a bit more with it by the afternoon but also with a blocked nose. I’m looking forward to getting home.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Amy’s idea of getting mala for dinner in an effort to blow away any potential lurgy. Not sure if it will work but it was deliciously hot and spicy anyway.

The best thing about today was:

There’s a good feeling around school as next week is a holiday. Students are happy and playful and don’t seem to mind doing some work too.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Watching George turn up an hour late to his class today. Most of his students had already disappeared by then anyway.

It is annoying to watch but I’m trying to put it out of my mind.

Amy took this picture because our bovine visitor came back again today.

Erasing Metaphor – 22nd December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

plain and simple
hey symbolic metaphors
late night sleep

a bowl of your pretty little mind
a pair of red leaves fall
wine walking

this day is a week
you want good
not better

your cup now is September
how many I love have flown my kitchen
arranging a perfect child

I like to eat then, forgetting the ocean
a restlessness or
inhabiting quiet

some never talk again
and now to cut up a life
could I have chosen myself

An erasure poem adapted from this wonderful writing at tiny hearts (see below)

Today I’m feeling:

Tired still, aching still but also with some inspiration to do something, though that may just end up being reading, playing guitar and watching videos as usual.

(Later) Indeed, that is how it turned out, with a little bit of chopping some of the Indian pencil tree down as it was getting out of control and sweeping the entertainment area.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Not going on that bike ride today and getting another relaxing day in instead.

Also, to the kids next door who interrupted me when I was playing guitar and made me think not to be too serious. Random little interruptions are good to change pace sometimes.

The best thing about today was:

A big, sad skinny white cow came into our garden around lunch time and made itself at home under the shade of the trees and hung around for a few hours until the cowman came.

Whilst it was sat down, I gave it some rubs (not sure what gender it was), which hopefully transferred some goodness into its suffering body. My fingers were black afterwards.

Something I learned today?

Reading David Foster Wallace’s Consider The Lobster today told me way more than I needed to know about lobsters but also had me opening up Google Maps where I discovered that Rhode Island isn’t an island at all.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

One thing that I do is to fill up the toilet roll holder so that Amy doesn’t get caught out with it being empty.

I sent this picture to all my classes because I want to remind them that they will be bad at something before they become good at it.

A Love Letter From Minas Gerais – 21st December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Maturing in the still and humid air
On a steep Brazilian hillside
I deepen red as if blushing
Ready to be plucked and tested

Still sour before the procession
Dried on a dusty rack
Soon signed, sealed and delivered
My final journey nears conclusion

I’m roasted, stirred and blended
Slightly sweet and bitter
Cascading jets of steamy water
Extract my last juices

Remember me this fine morning
As you go about your day
It was my pleasure to serve you
To give you my get up and go

Written for an AllPoetry assignment about personification and returning to a favourite topic of mine!

Today I’m feeling:

Tired but rested after a ten-hour sleep and a weird dream about being in a South American country and almost being shot by a child, and then a pre-pubescent girl who was showing me around with a bunch of other kids got disappeared to be a prostitute. Not sure where all those ideas came from.

I have aches in various places from this week’s exercise. Good aches.

Today I’m grateful for:

A very chill day today, restoring lost energy.

The best thing about today was:

Finishing the chapter Up, Simba by David Foster Wallace. Next is the titular Consider The Lobster.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Utopia is closed until Wednesday as Art takes his staff for a mini holiday in Chiang Mai. This meant that I had to get coffee at Black Smooth instead this morning.

Something I learned today?

Through an online conversation with Baipad, we both learned that ‘blyat’ in Russian is a bad word.

I took this picture because Art joked that the coffee at Black Smooth would be in a big cup and be too hot and he was right!