Mythmakers – 18th May 2025

*Let’s gather our friends and make a storm,
to a circle of dreams, surrendered.
Our silhouettes in firelight perform;
Are the dead glad to be remembered?

We live again in celebration,
barreling through centuries of secrets.
The rites of our reincarnation
will render us forever sleepless.

We are the dragons of the mountains;
we may be sleeping one thousand years,
yet once drunk on youth from the fountains,
we all become willing volunteers.

The dead are glad to be remembered
by those of us creating the storm,
when to all our dreams we surrendered;
so they live on within us; reborn.

*I don’t think I wrote this line but, yet again, I forget where it came from. I often take notes of lines I like and come back to them much later. Sometimes I remember to put the source too. Sometimes not!

This poem was submitted to an AllPoetry assignment and was actually a bit of a struggle to write despite the assignment being based on rhyme, which is what am I most used to writing. Trying to include all the elements learned in the course so far sometimes makes me think too much about it and so I don’t get the flow that I would like.

I haven’t got feedback on this assignment as I write this but I’m guessing that they will respond that it’s not exactly clear what this poem is about, and that’s a fair enough assessment. To be honest, I had the first and fourth lines jotted down and then tried to write rhymes around them and see what came out of that as the subject.

It seems to be about remembrance and celebration of those who came before us. I was imagining tribal dances around fires at night and the myths we make in remembrance of our elders. Hopefully, that came through before you read this section!

Larger Than Life – 15th November 2023

No talent, stood up shouting
Through a mess of tangled hair
Full of lack and swagger
Full of piss and vinegar
Formed without much care

Stepped into condemnation
Head high and strutting
Full of vim and vigour
Larger than life, or bigger
Each word spat, cutting

When the heads were turning
By the energy propelled
The confidence was sung
As if it was just begun
And soon seen as excelled

inspired by the picture and words at The Red Hand Files #260


Today I’m feeling:

A little bit better than yesterday and better as the day goes on but still only at about 80%. My classes today were pretty straightforward so they didn’t stress me out too much.

Today I’m grateful for:

The parking guy at Makro who blew his whistle loudly for me to park and then took my trolley for me with more whistle-blowing. A happy whistleblower. I want a whistle too.

The best thing about today was:

Despite all the disappointing bits and pieces of news (other tidbits not mentioned here, minimal but adding up) today I’m not that bothered or annoyed. I’m here and have to just get in with sorting shit out.

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

First, I got a message that I have to go and interview the P6 students to decide if they are suitable enough to come to junior high next semester. I did this before and it’s a waste of time but it’s easy enough for me to do and at least try to have some fun with some new students.

Second, Nancy called to tell me that as my work permit has been cancelled because of my visa that I won’t get paid! Ugh! The stupid systems here don’t make it easy for people to stay.

Something I learned today?

Nancy convinced me to do a non-B visa as it will resolve quicker so that I can get my work permit quicker and therefore get paid again. As part of that I have to supply a new resume. I updated it adding her company as TLC ‘English Teaching Agency’. She seemed to take umbrage at that description and advised it needs to say ‘Private School Outside System’! Ok, whatever. I know this is just some fancy wording that ticks the right boxes for the right people.

How do I want to be remembered?

It’s not something I have any control over so it’s not something to even think about. No doubt for every person who thinks nicely of me there will be as many dislike me. I’ll just keep being me and leave the memories of me to others.

I took this picture because I was only just found this note from Porpieng in a card she sent to me for my birthday. Her and her class stick long in my memory as being particularly able to be challenged to think and learn for themselves. Each successive class I’ve taught each year has diminished in capability, unfortunately.