Tag: poetry

Annual Caper – 15th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

Running around, filling in forms
Photocopying passports and paper
Wasting time and wasting petrol
On this stupid annual caper

“You’ve done it wrong, take it back”
Take it to another station
Always use blue ink, never black
For those lovely folks at immigration

“Thanks for coming, we’ll take your money
But go away and do it right”
Said one thing and meant another
“Now get the hell out of my sight”

Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full
Please let me stay in your land
It’s enough to make you want to leave
This isn’t what I’d planned

It’s like you don’t want us here
Unless we pay through the nose
Your useless corrupt system’s
Designed just to keep us on our toes

I’m trying to make it along here
A house with pets, a job and a wife
But maybe it’s time to reconsider
Where I spend the rest of my life

Does anyone read promotional blurb anymore? Is it necessary? I say No! But this is what is done, so this is what we’re doing.

For those in the know, Trumans Water have been deconstructing indie rock conventions (and grammar rules) for more than 100 years now (or at least since the early 90s) and there’s a reasonable chance you have totally missed out! But Trumans never stop.

Too true, the vet American “spazz-rock”/”squiggle-core” quartet has been scarce in their native land in recent years: releases mostly on Euro-labels (and now a label based in Thailand!); touring almost exclusively “over there.” One co-founding Branstetter brother, singer-guitarist Kevin, even settled down in France; the other, guitarist-vocalist Kirk, remains in Portland, Oregon, where TW set up in 1995 (formed in San Diego circa 1991).

The 14 tracks of O Zeta Zunis, album #13,14,15 or 16 depending on how you may wish to count, manage one helluva collective double-feat: sounding like distinct, engaging, chance-taking, raw-boned guit-stoked rock to any given listener — whether they know the Water or no — and coming off to TW fans as strikingly fresh while hearkening back to classic Trumans material.

Yes, the latter means going all the way back to 1992’s debut Of Thick Tum — enthusiastically tracked by legendary Brit radio DJ John Peel in its entirety, c’est vrai — and their 1993 2xLP follow-up, Spasm Smash XXXOXOX Ox & Ass. (Note: you’re still on your own in unravelling Trumans-ian title-age.)

O Zeta Zunis sports a few slowed-up passages that help accentuate the melodic riff-drive of “Last Time” or the balls-out whizz-bang of “Greased Water,” the twitchy-catchy frolic of “5-7-10 Split” or the rubbery buzz-chug of “You Live Out Loud.” There’re loping jams and snappy sonic sputter-blasts as well. Essence of Trumans.

Chèvre Au Lait slows things down with subtlety, yet remains as twisted as ever, in the fashion of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band, fusing madness with restraint and even devolving into post-punk reminiscent of England in the early 80s, which has become popular again with the punk youth of today.

Folks, this ain’t history — this is … living, loopy rock and/or roll! Trumans Water never left so won’t you please welcome them back?

Thailand based label tenzenmen has long been a fan of Trumans Water and was so disappointed that their last two albums were not available on CD, and unable to complete the collection in their music library, that they invested their inheritance monies into bringing these albums to the most unpopular format in recorded history. 

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to meet my students again and to meet some of the new classes. It was a lot of fun and I felt relaxed and enjoyed the day very much despite other stresses going on.

Stupid Rain – 14th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

Stupid rain, you wet my shoes
Flooded the car park badly
Jump right on in the river
Now my socks are smelling, sadly

Left my umbrella in the house
When yesterday’s rain abated
No sign of a break in clouds
No matter how long I waited

27th Jun 2024 – Shared with the RagTag Daily Prompt
28th Oct 2025 – Shared with Poetic Bloomings

Does anyone read promotional blurb anymore? Is it necessary? I say No! But this is what is done, so this is what we’re doing.

For those in the know, Trumans Water have been deconstructing indie rock conventions (and grammar rules) for more than 100 years now (or at least since the early 90s) and there’s a reasonable chance you have totally missed out! But Trumans never stop.

Too true, the vet American “spazz-rock”/”squiggle-core” quartet has been scarce in their native land in recent years: releases mostly on Euro-labels (and now a label based in Thailand!); touring almost exclusively “over there.” One co-founding Branstetter brother, singer-guitarist Kevin, even settled down in France; the other, guitarist-vocalist Kirk, remains in Portland, Oregon, where TW set up in 1995 (formed in San Diego circa 1991).

The 14 tracks of O Zeta Zunis, album #13,14,15 or 16 depending on how you may wish to count, manage one helluva collective double-feat: sounding like distinct, engaging, chance-taking, raw-boned guit-stoked rock to any given listener — whether they know the Water or no — and coming off to TW fans as strikingly fresh while hearkening back to classic Trumans material.

Yes, the latter means going all the way back to 1992’s debut Of Thick Tum — enthusiastically tracked by legendary Brit radio DJ John Peel in its entirety, c’est vrai — and their 1993 2xLP follow-up, Spasm Smash XXXOXOX Ox & Ass. (Note: you’re still on your own in unravelling Trumans-ian title-age.)

O Zeta Zunis sports a few slowed-up passages that help accentuate the melodic riff-drive of “Last Time” or the balls-out whizz-bang of “Greased Water,” the twitchy-catchy frolic of “5-7-10 Split” or the rubbery buzz-chug of “You Live Out Loud.” There’re loping jams and snappy sonic sputter-blasts as well. Essence of Trumans.

Chèvre Au Lait slows things down with subtlety, yet remains as twisted as ever, in the fashion of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band, fusing madness with restraint and even devolving into post-punk reminiscent of England in the early 80s, which has become popular again with the punk youth of today.

Folks, this ain’t history — this is … living, loopy rock and/or roll! Trumans Water never left so won’t you please welcome them back?

Thailand based label tenzenmen has long been a fan of Trumans Water and was so disappointed that their last two albums were not available on CD, and unable to complete the collection in their music library, that they invested their inheritance monies into bringing these albums to the most unpopular format in recorded history. 

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to be contacted by one of my old students, Kamboom, and to hear that she got into Sammakhi – which is one of the better schools in Chiang Rai. She will study science and maths but wants to keep up her English study too.

The Art of Noticing Electricity Meters – 13th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

On a walk last week I picked some things to notice, one being electricity meters. In England and Australia these things are usually hidden away somewhere but here in Thailand they are usually visible somewhere out on the street where, although they can be easily tampered with, they can be easily read by the Electricity Board. They are not particularly noticeable though – unless you start looking for them. I found these ten quickly on a single walk.

The other thing that these pictures got me thinking about was Thai’s fascination and superstition about numbers. I haven’t heard anything specifically about numbers on these meters but lottery tickets and car number plates (as well as auspicious dates) are considered gossip worthy by many people here. When folks are told that their car number plates are not very lucky they may be guided by a fortune teller or particular monk to add another number to the plate, usually smaller than the numbers of the official plate. This goes along with a superstition about the colour of one’s car and if told they have an unlucky colour will add a sticker saying ‘This car is blue’ to improve their luck.

Thai’s (generalising) put way too much stock into these kinds of things, thinking that they have little or no control over their own lives. When they put little effort into improving themselves they can blame bad luck for their failures. Obviously I don’t think this is good, but am I right? I just tell myself I am.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to look back at some of the better poems I have written. I think I can find it easier to distil my thoughts and feelings into 4-20 lines of verse rather than writing a diary. Anyway, I’m glad to get back into the habit of writing poems.

Eyes – 10th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Looking with fresh eyes of wonder
The non-judgemental eyes of a child
Eyes that ignore another’s blunder
Eyes at once both wide and wild

Mistakes forgotten, sweet eyes forgiving
Eyes above looking down their perch
Youthful eyes not tired of living
Energetic eyes on a constant search

31st Jul 2024 – Submitted to Word of the Day Challenge – eye

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have food in my fridge for breakfast this morning. And yesterday I ran out of energy but could find something to boost me back up.

One’s Utensils – 9th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

You are my favourite fork
Comfortable in my palm
Pins not sharp enough
To do me any harm

You are my favourite knife
Good for cutting cheese
Just right for some butter
Spreading as I please

You are my favourite spoon
The right shape for my mouth
Soup, yoghurt, stir fry
Smoothly in and smoothly out

Some utensils just aren’t right
Others are perfect for me
I’m grateful to find the ones
For breakfast, dinner and tea

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for my favourite knives, forks and spoons over the years. Something about how they fit in your hands and mouth makes them emotionally comforting.

There were many good things today despite some minor frustrations – just with online teaching.

The rain really turned it on and brought the temperature down to a very agreeable level, so much so that I sat in the classroom even after my lessons finished.

I’m really enjoying the coffee I’m getting in the morning. I enjoyed chatting with Fui, reading and writing poems, and studying Thai.

The rain was torrential at times but not too cold, so I didn’t bother with an umbrella and just embraced the wet and ducked under cover whenever I could.

Even though I had plenty of free time today, I wished I could have more so that I could do some more drawing too. So long as I can spew out something artistic each day, then I’m pretty happy. At the moment, it’s poems.

Teacher, teacher – 8th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

When everyone laughs at you
It’s best to laugh along too
Don’t let things affect you so
Stand upright to any blow
Strength’s applied when nothing done
It’s not a game that must be won
Take it with a pinch of salt
It’s not really anyone’s fault
Emotions tug at simple minds
The simple comes in many kinds
Our reactions were never taught
Perhaps that’s something that we ought
To teach our kids in schools
Give them these important tools
Inner peace and satisfaction
As opposed to angry passion

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have Kim Chi back home. She’s very happy to be somewhere familiar again. She doesn’t seem too stressed about being stuck in the classroom – not yet anyway. I hope she settles into it.

Double Cap – 7th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Give me the big cup!
Double up!
Make them big shots
Top it off!
Drink it slow
Then take off!
When it’s time to go
I got enough!
Buzz and howling
Flying high!
The fear of falling
Pushed aside
Tomorrow morning
Same again!
Without a warning
Jump my brain!

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for our spare room outside – that we can adapt to be Kim’s new space. She won’t be an outdoor cat anymore which will frustrate her but I’m thankful we have this reasonably sized space that we can give to her.

Become – 4th June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

To put our laws in a palace
Or to keep them in our mind
How should we punish malice?
Is it just natural to be unkind?
The many differences between us
Don’t need to keep us apart
You really should have seen us
How we were at the start
If we look deep inside
We can feel we are all as one
Push connections far and wide
Let’s walk together – let’s become

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to read about the dog tied to a cart and how struggling against it will cause suffering. This little tail highlights one of my problems – always fighting against the cart instead of going with the flow. I can detach myself from the cart later – when my time comes.

Glorious Journey – 2nd June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Those trying days are nothing
Our ego is satisfied in opposition
The clouds become meaningless
When you make the right decision
New pain is distraction
Putting darkness into perspective
A re-uniting force for us
We realise was already an elective
So choose the lighter path
To ease life’s journeyed story
Balance out the me and us
Together we shine in our glory

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for my ingenuity to figure out a solution to a problem at work quickly and under pressure.
I am also grateful to the vet helping to keep our little Kim alive. I don’t know if her weak body will make it but I’m so happy she came into our lives and home.

All The Same – 1st June 2021

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

The social conscience is a power machine
Human instinct drawn to a higher scheme
No matter the culture, society or elite
It’s the eyes of God on every street

Weight: 77.3kg
Resting heart rate: 62

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for my own will and determination. To stay happy, calm and focused as much as I can despite the mental inconsistencies running through my brain. I fought through the pressures of preparation yesterday without panic or depression so today, despite all the testing times to come, I have confidence in my abilities.