Who wants to see all the creative stuff I do when I'm not watching anime?

Ignore my messy bedroom XP But yeah this is everything from the last few weeks (though the graphic on lined paper was part of a week of journaling where I did some other writing as well which I won't publish here cuz it's basically diary entry-type stuff) apart from my nephew's b-day card, I got some heavy body Liquitex professional acrylic paint and that's been fab so far - I'm really proud of my latest picture with the fish, I worked on that for almost a week on and off and it came out really well! :)
 

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please save my earth

i do like the frog in with the fish, its just like, you wanted to include a frog and thats something i understand. also jellyfish

what is the red thing in the middle they are drawn to? looks like a vortex in there
 
please save my earth

i do like the frog in with the fish, its just like, you wanted to include a frog and thats something i understand. also jellyfish

what is the red thing in the middle they are drawn to? looks like a vortex in there

Yeah I loved that manga and OVA and wanted to do a lil tribute to it :)

I did really want to include a frog! How could you tell? :p

It's just a nice flower with a spirally centre, I guess it could be interpreted in a kind of spiritual way but it wasn't intended to be sinister :)
 
I did really want to include a frog! How could you tell? :p

It's just a nice flower with a spirally centre, I guess it could be interpreted in a kind of spiritual way but it wasn't intended to be sinister :)

Lets just say you are not the second or third or even fourth person (frogs)

it doesn't look too sinister really. I didn't think it was at first. I suppose the red suggests such but the mirror petals almost negate that. It is just curious as all fish are looking towards to it so suggests some importance there
 
Bigg heccin update time! :)
 

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Currently working on my first picture with my long discontinued 126-colour set of Neocolour II Water-soluble wax pastels that I got off Ebay (it's a lil owl friend 🥰 )! o_O🫠
 

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Finally adding the remainder of last year's projects! :)
 

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That's everything for 2023, more to come! :)
 

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A few poems I wrote over the last three days, they're all untitled but I'll put Poem 1, 2, 3 etc. to make it easier to tell where one ends and another begins :)

Poem 1

When I was quite small
I learned that people react badly if you are “too happy”
(or too sad, but that’s a discussion for another day)
It seems to breed resentment
So we as a species will drag each other down to earth
Kicking and screaming in pain and anguish
As if that makes the ones doing the dragging happier somehow
I grew to fear being harmed, injured by others
If I were to express unbridled joy in public
I think I almost came to believe that
If I were to tap into that long lost joy in my heart
I would be unable to stay on the ground
But being this sad and depressed
Constantly “correcting” my bursting smile as if it were a terrible naïveté
Some sort of personality flaw
Is so unbearable that it is slowly killing me anyway
So
If being happy costs me my life
Then so be it
I will float up into the stars
For I would rather be Icarus
And reach for the sun
With a spark of it’s light glowing in my eyes
Than live a life spent being miserable and dreamless
To appease others
I would rather have my head explode as I exit earth’s atmosphere
Than feel like dying all the time

Poem 2

Tangled up in knots
I trip over my own mind
Struggling to extend to myself
The kindness I always try to show to others
I have realised gradually that a lot of the worrying I did
During the first three and a half decades of my life
Was unnecessary and pointless
But it didn’t feel that way
So I will be gentle with myself
And not worry that I worried too much
That was then
This is now
My anxiety
Takes a bow
And fades off the stage
Becoming first a ghost and then completely non-existent
I am loved
The dear friends I thought were judging me and looking for a reason to abandon me
Love and accept me unconditionally
Today I will be at peace
With a calm mind
Knowing I have a home in the people I love
And that they love me
So I will enjoy this big beautiful world
So full of oceans and stars
All within the soul as well
And full of possibilities
Dazzling brilliantly from within me
With every dreamy gaze upon a crush
Every dirty fantasy
Every act of love and kindness
Every disarmingly cute smile
Every time I live immersed in the passionate joy of creating
Imbibing this amazing day as if it were the sweetest nectar
I light up my face and I light up those around me
I am beautiful
Brimming with delight
Today will be good
And I will shine brightly like a light
But one that lasts
And I, who did NOT die
Became like the softest hearted of parents unto myself
I will be the person I needed when I was a child
Life is a miracle
A commonplace miracle
But a miracle nonetheless
Doesn’t that make you excited for what else that is beautiful and true
Could happen in this strange place we call reality?

Poem 3

Let’s be a little more on the side of our angels today
“Best self” is perhaps
A touch grandiose and a very high standard
But let’s try to love and be kind
In a world torn asunder by hate and war
Let’s dare to hope and dream for better
I really want to know you
And it excites me so much that there are so many people in the world
To learn to understand
To laugh with (not at)
The mundanity of the world
Can be as profound as the rare and unexpected
You do the dishes as I hug and kiss you from behind
My arms wrapped around your chest and waist
Sit and talk with me a while
And we’ll make the world a little sweeter
Like milk and honey
Flowing forth from some great mystical river
That is the magic of the world
Sun awakens, moon awakens
And somewhere in the middle of it all
Gazing at the sky
Is you
Your piece of this wonderful earth
Gently tilled and rich with flowers and food
Beautiful boy (but not only do I say this for boys)
The loveliest rainbow of people
Lighting up the world
Bringing so much that is so varied
Subtle and overt shades of sadness and joy
Smiling, crying, talking with each other
I’m very glad to know you!

Poem 4

Sometimes you are a very sweet fuzzy boy
Making little utterances that are so darling they send my heart in a spin
I want to kiss your cheek
Touch the place that softness came from
With my lips
And when I withdraw them that little sound you made
Will be stored inside me, swallowed like a raindrop made of sugar water
Is this love?
Perhaps not, but
Your smile is all I need right now
You’re all I need sometimes
I will move on and forward
But being by your side is more comforting
In this precious moment
Than I usually have the courage to admit
 
More poetry, I have also done a creative project for every two weeks of this year so far and plan to post those here soon as well :)

Poem 5 2024

You are distractingly pretty
And have a lovely personality
An arresting combination
If noticing that
Were criminal
I’d be in handcuffs
Whenever we spend an evening together
But that’s not really the vibe
And I feel deeply contented to know something of your mind heart and soul
If not your body
Make me a bit uncomfortable sometimes perhaps
Tell me things I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, in small doses
For I would honestly rather accept you as you are, friend
Than be lost in a hopelessly idealised fantasy
The real you is actually pretty great
As it turns out
Far more than just an attractively blank canvas
Keep being part of my life, if you would
As I very much enjoy
Having you around
And this poem is probably at least marginally more interesting
Than a generic friendship day card
Purchased from Hallmark
(meows affectionately, and writes “Screw Flanders” a few times to increase word count) :p

Poem 6 2024

You are beautiful humans
Unimaginably sweet and soft
Full of gentle wonder and imagination
Bursting with creativity
We dance together sometimes, equal parts laughing silliness and the joy of movement
We make each other giggle awkwardly
We find words won’t always do, so we make animal sounds
We hold each other often, retreating from the world’s hurts into each other’s warmth and adoration
You are generous and giving with your love and time
I love feeding you and being fed by you, you are always most welcome in my kitchen!
I can barely imagine or remember life without you
You are more precious and important than you know
Please keep my world turning
Love like need want
I feel all of those for you

Poem 7 2024

I carry around wounds inside
Or I did
For a very long time
When there was a difference between how I felt about someone
And how they felt about me
It seemed like a recipe for disaster
An inevitable tragic fate
To feel deeply was to be a murderer of attachment
A screwed up, deluded mess
Who didn’t understand or appreciate what people offered
“JUST friends”
So much bitterness runs through so many people
When those words are uttered
I love him I love him I love him
I love her I love her I love her
I love them I love them I love them
So very very much
The sweetest most precious feelings inside me
Became volatile
In a world that can be so lacking in sincerity
Everything laden and dripping with irony and sarcasm
Shame, guilt, fear
Were such everyday every minute things
That I doubted there was another way for me to live or be
But now I know
That it often takes two to tango
In these matters
And that it was not all my fault
I loved my friends
And if I was a bit too much, perhaps they were a bit too little
In their faith and trust in me
I learned to like myself because of people like you
Thankyou for understanding me
For seeing that my heart is good
For touching it without flinching the way some others have
When they saw the scars
When they saw love bleeding out of me
Thankyou for putting your arms around me
With your kindness and acceptance
Healing becomes my everyday
To all the extraordinary, kind people
Who are my friendship family
Thankyou, thankyou, THANKYOU
For the priceless gift
Of your tenderness
I feel like I have ten mothers
Who all see the best in me
All the time
And what
Could possibly be better
Than that?
I have yet to find it

Poem 8 2024

Let’s go hunting, you said
It’ll be fun, you said
I was doubtful, but I followed you
My older brother
The air smelled of trees
And I could hear the stream
Squirrels chased each other through the canopy
We walked softly
But your heart can be so cold, like ice
I tried to harden mine, to steel it
But in truth I could not
A wolf crossed our path
And you started following it, creeping and crawling behind
Like a centipede short on legs
You were always the more nimble of the two of us
But the more graceful mover
Does not necessarily have much grace
A twig cracked under my foot
The wolf looked up, surprised
“Come on, run after it!” You yelled
And run I did
We both ran, senselessly
Bursting with fear and adrenaline
Another wolf comes
And leaps at me
I panic
And foolishly fire my gun
Blood
Pain
Everything ends
A noble spirit embiggens the smallest
So they say
I shot that beast
So it cannot run through woods again
With it’s last breath
It whimpered, looked into my shocked face
And saw me start to crack
Grief and guilt
Tearing me from within
As if I was trying to give back that creature’s life
By birthing it anew
Claws and all
From inside myself
Perhaps I cannot do this thing
Because I am a man
But I can choose to be a better one
“Never again”, I said
I will not be a bringer of death, especially for amusement
For I can say surely
Nothing is less entertaining
Even dadaists
Would shake their heads and put them in their hands
After that
I slept at home, feeling full of weighty sadness and melancholy
Until my wounds healed a bit
Then I went back into the woods
And would lie very still and watch
Walk around treading very gently
I wanted to see nature I wanted to be in it
I wanted to see that the world had not ceased to turn
See that there was life in this place
That it thrived
I hoped to find the wolf’s cubs and raise them myself, if it had any
But I found no cubs
Perhaps that wolf was still quite young
Only just setting out into the world
I longed for a deeper understanding of the forest’s inhabitants
To feel and see what most men do not
One day I fell, tripping over a branch
As I lay there, with hot pain in my leg, and bleeding
Another wolf came up to me
I was prepared to die in that moment
But the wolf gently licked my wound
And in that moment
I could forgive myself
Tears streamed down my face
Everything I had held in my shattered soul
Poured out of me
The wolf licked my face, then lay beside me
I wanted to understand the life of the wood
That creature understood me
What an unexpected blessing
To find in the wilderness
 
I did really big/challenging jigsaws early in the year that took a lot of time, so counted those as the projects for Weeks 1-2 and Weeks 3-4, and the project for Weeks 17-18 was a birthday picture for my nephew that has his name on it so I won't be posting it here - I also sent him the owl I made and he loved it and now his big brother wants one too! 🥰 I'm super proud of how much I managed to accomplish in 2023 but has been nice to slow down a bit and take more time over each project this year so far too :)
 

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I have put Poem 9 under a spoiler tag as it's quite sexual, not majorly explicit but just being mindful or w/e :)

Poem 9 2024

All of me hopelessly flushed red and laid bare
When you look at me with that spark of desire
Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy the darkness
As your beautiful eyes shine like stars
We are as animals
But tender, claws sheathed
Rip my clothes off and gently maul me
Fill me with pleasure and wetness
Kiss me where I most long to be kissed
Upon my tempting neck
Between my open legs
I am wild with hunger for you
As you lovingly devour me, just a little
Without biting
Will I ever be sated?
Uncertain
But you relieve the ache better than most
Until I awaken again
Like a flower that blooms every night

Poem 10 2024

I watch as the world seems, for all intents and purposes, to be ablaze
Not out of indifference
Out of helplessness
I see the downtrodden stepped upon
Lack of understanding poisons the world
Like some unhappy, terror-stricken serpent has it’s fangs in it
The sacred feminine screams
I cry, for despair at what else I can do except feel something kind for those who suffer
But
I will embrace that frightened snake
Hear it’s sadness, listen
It lives
Perhaps that is why it suffers
But I will always believe
There is more to life than that
There’s enough love in the world
I will believe that, even when it doesn’t seem like it
Always enough love in the world
Even when times are hard
I will give all the love I can and take all the love I need
Amongst death and destruction
Conflict and war
I am hope
I am creation
I will make and do things
That shine a light in the darkness
My lantern is small and quiet
But I know the people who love me
Will keep it burning
To their spirits I walk
Holding a match
 
Poem 11 2024

Reflecting back upon life
One of my favourite things about it
Is the little ways that each person who was or is precious to me
Left an imprint
There is some little tell
That I have known you and you have known me
In something I say or do
Sometimes in the past
These things were sad and difficult to acknowledge
When the one who left the mark
Was not part of my world anymore
But now I have friends who I know
Are staying for good (and bad, and difficult)
Nothing could be more beautiful
Than knowing that some little part of how they love and who they are
Is now part of me too
I treasure everything in me
That I noticed a loved one do
That made me feel so loved
That I had to do it too
In the hopes that it would make the other people in my life
Feel what I felt
Feel special
Know I saw the face of god when I gazed upon them
The small and insignificant can be everything
Every particle makes a universe
Every raindrop an ocean
Everyone I loved and love is part of who I am
If I forget everything
May these things
Be the last I lose
For your favourite emoji
(Which I use all the time now)
The gentle feel of your hands and arms
(Which taught me how to get even better at holding and touching people)
The taste of your favourite dish to cook for us
(Which ultimately lead me to actually bother to cook for myself)
You calling me baby
In that gentle high voice that is so soft and sweet sounding
And so many other small and precious things
Mean so much more to me
Than my name, address
Or national insurance number
Ever could

Poem 12 2024

Just girls being girls
I loved being a girl with you
I loved giving you everything I wished men would give me
You made me feel like I mattered
Your sweetness put most boys to shame
I wanted to protect you from the one who had hurt you most
Both carrying deep sadness, we gently explored each other
You were soft and pretty and ******* beautiful
I loved being a girl with you
You were never in love with me
But that is ok
I just wanted to make you feel special
To help make sure you knew you mattered
The way you showed me I did
Wherever you are now
May you know only the tenderest and most exuberant joy and happiness
I hope you have as much money
As you made me feel like when I was with you
Just girls being girls
Just girls playing softly with each other
Just girls being emotional and sentimental
No man to compete for
No man to separate us
Just girls together
I loved being together with you
Even when my mind and my life
Were in all honesty
Rather a mess
Holding you was like heaven
I wanted to gently kiss away every tear that you shed
And tell you you were perfect
And any man who couldn’t see that
Or mistreated you
Was a complete fool
Just girls being girls
I loved being a girl with you
I wish I could have brushed your hair
And sat with you telling stories
In a little cottage
Out of a fairytale
The world is harsh
But you were anything but
Only ever kind words for me
Don’t doubt your worth
Girl that I loved

Poem 13 2024

It’s the end of the world
Let’s
Hang out
Have a big party that even introverts might be tempted to attend
Tell people how gorgeously lush and lovely we think they are when we usually wouldn’t have the guts
Watch the stars
Do unspeakably naughty things in semi-public places
Forgive each other
Love each other
Hold hands
Sing
Phone people we haven’t spoken to in years
You get the idea
Might as well make the world a better place
When there is nothing left to lose
Anymore
We will all be stardust tomorrow
But for tonight, we live as flesh and blood!
Take my hand
Come with me
Connect
Before all is dead and gone

(tbh I think Poem 14 sucks but here it is anyway) XP

Poem 14 2024

Sounds and songs fill me with emotion
All music, a symphony inside me
I am always reaching for the heart
The core inside a person
Longing for someone to take away that pain and loneliness inside me
That is the search for the other half long lost
At the origin of love
I yearn to touch and be touched
To feel tender, unselfish care from fingers, hands, arms, lips and other parts
Of a lover
I want to be special to someone
I need to find him who
I am always reaching for inside my mind
Someone who I can hold and embrace for life
I stand before you a hopeless romantic dreamer
Who yearns for your deepest most complete affinity
And understanding
My heart cries out to love
My heart always cries out for love
Hear my cry and respond with your own
Let’s go through life together
We will not be one but two
For I cannot quite synchronise with anyone
But I always offer you my understanding
You will be the boy in my fantasies
Who makes me ache with desire
Who I could barely stand to lose
I hunger for your skin
I want to make the blood in your veins
Pulse and pump through you
With passion and excitement
Be with me
Be inside me
In my heart and loins
You reside
And my home
Is your home
Sweet tender boy
From a dream I wake
And you remain beside me

Poem 15 2024

Intimacy
A word that encompasses a whole world of joy
Tenderness
Sorrow
Pain
Love
Yet so much fun to be had!
Did you swallow a small world?
Will I find it inside you if I touch your lips to mine
Enough times?
I care little
My curiosity is of a different nature
Play with me
Your kisses tingle
Your touch is a strange mix
Of comfortably familiar
And intensely exciting
Your body is not why I got to know you
But it’s a rather wildly pleasant surprise
To be
In such a compromising
Yet lushly pleasurable position
With you
Play with me
Adults often don’t play enough
So relax
There’s plenty more pleasure where that came from
As I gaze hungrily at you
More please
If you wish it
I am always ready for you
And your pretty face and hands
Distract me from everyday life for a time
For you are one of the better respites
I have found
In this unpredictable, sometimes cruel world
Kiss me?

Poem 16 2024

Making out with sexy boys
(though not only boys, I will note)
Is a year round activity for me
It has no specific season
I blossom when kissed
When touched
I am perennial
But more than that
A hibiscus
Lavender (I am told I smell very good!)
Lantana
Evergreen, with constantly flushed red cheeks
Their lips and hands on me are a little taste of a heaven I do not as such believe in
But I trust in their arms wrapped around me
If I fall they’ll catch me
I do not doubt
For we are all the dearest of friends
Playing with each other
In a garden of Eden
I am the happiest I have ever been
Summer’s coming
But it’s not the only thing
That’s making me hot and wet
I put on the electric fan
And return to sitting
In one of my favourite laps
I prefer colder weather
But people like that
Are worth turning up the heat for
Let’s get soaked
I always did like waterguns
 
Here's all the complete sketches I wrote for these two characters several years ago, thought people here might enjoy them (for the record, I would like to note that Commander Will is not actually threatening anyone with torture for real in the first skit, he just wants to help Gary out by giving him a motivation to eat the chicken!) :)


1 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 1.

“Sir, this roast chicken is awfully dry”

“Good god man put some mayonnaise on it, or some BBQ sauce or something! Who eats roast chicken on it’s own? Unless it’s fresh out of the oven. Or they’re under threat of torture…

…that brings back some unpleasant memories.”

“Sir, I don’t have any mayonnaise, or BBQ sauce.”

“Do you have anything else to put on it?”

“I think we have some turmeric. But I don’t like turmeric.”

“Well, can’t you just throw it away?”

“Sir that would be rather wasteful.”

“Well, if I threaten you with torture would that get you psyched about eating it?”

“Oh yes sir, I’ll eat it right away.”

“Good. See, you can solve a problem if you discuss it."


2 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 2.

“Sir, can I have the day off?”

“What for?”

“I’m, er, going on a date.”

“Oh god, I haven’t been on a date in years. I was in love once Gary, Gary, have you ever been in love?”

“I’m not sure Sir. What’s it like?”

“Awful! You get stomach cramps and have to wear special devices to prevent your bleeding heart from leaking everywhere! But god I miss them! I miss them everyday, my precious genderqueer, lion-bearded, purple and blue tutu-wearing angel… sob sob sob E-excuse me, I have something in my heart, can, can someone get me an Aloe Vera tissue please?”

“Yes sir, I’ll get you one right away.”

“Thank you Gary. Enjoy your date.”

“You mean-“

“Yes, yes you can have the day off, just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what that entails Sir, could you perhaps write me a list?”

“Just get out of here Gary. Where’s that tissue!?”


3 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 3.

“Gary, what’s that in your hand?”

“Which hand sir?”

“The one with something in it Gary.”

“Oh! It’s a footlong.”

“Well of course I can see that Gary, you know that I won an award for being able to accurately judge measurements from a distance at Commander Academy, but what is it?”

“Sorry Sir, it’s a sandwich.”

“What’s a sandwich? Is it dangerous?”

“Not usually Sir. It’s edible fillings between two or more slices of bread, or a roll or baguette that’s been sliced in half.”

“Edible you say? That sounds quite appealing. Not dangerous at all.”

“Would you like to try a bite sir?”

“I’m not quite convinced at this point Gary. Do we mean “deliciously edible” or “just barely edible but still kind of gross?””

“Well Sir, this one contains sliced tomatoes and boiled eggs. How do you feel about that?”

“I have a lot of emotions about that Gary, thank you for asking.”

“Oh, you’re welcome! Erm, is one of your emotions the one that makes you want to try the sandwich?”

“It’s alright Gary, it’s your sandwich.”

“Thank you Sir. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure Gary. Gary, go and make me a sandwich with sliced tomatoes and boiled eggs.”

“Yes Sir. Right away!”


4 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 4.

“Sir, it’s that time of year again.”

“What time of year Gary?”

“The time that the ship’s crew stage our annual musical!”

“Is it strictly necessary for me to get involved? I’m kind of busy with… uh… this paperwork…”

“OK then Sir. I’ll-“

“-and… uh… my headquarters needs a bit of a tidy…”

“It’s really alright Sir. Let me just-“

“Oh Gary, you can see right through me! I’m in the middle of marathoning the Naruto filler episodes and my stress levels are very high! Why do I do this to myself Gary?”

“I don’t know Sir, but I do have this handy guide I found telling you which episodes to skip, it was handed out at a “preventing homicidal behaviour on outer space missions” seminar.”

“Gary, be honest, are you stalking me?”

“I’m your personal assistant Sir, one tends to notice these things.”

“…that does make logical sense Gary. I apologise for casting asparagus.”

“You mean aspersions Sir.”

“I do have aspirations Gary.”

“That’s wonderful Sir.”

“What are your aspirations Gary?”

“I wanted to open a shelter for abandoned kittens Sir.”

“Who would abandon a kitten Gary? Are you sure that really happens?”

“Unfortunately yes Sir. Some people are so poor they can’t care for a pet. Others are unkind. There are a variety of reasons.”

“You know Gary, I think I need some cheering up. Shall we compose a song for this musical?”

“Really Sir? You know you don’t have to-“

“Let’s just do it Gary. Now, what’s this musical about?”

“Pirates Sir.”

“I love parrots Gary.”

“Well there are parrots in it Sir. Shall we compose a song about them?”

“Let’s see now, uh, parrots, they have feathers not fur… parrots, they never purr, parrots, you won’t find them drinking milk… ummm…”

“Sir, I think this song is turning into a song about cats. Would you prefer to write a song about cats? I”m sure we can incorporate cats into a story about pirates if we try hard enough!”

“No, you’re right Gary, I’ll get this song back on topic, parrots, their plumage is like silk, parrots, they squawk and ask for crackers, parrots, a swarm will leave you knackered, parrots, they’re not all that keen on boxes, parrots, they… ummm… ain’t no lummoxes… have I gotten the song back on track Gary?”

“Mostly Sir. Do you want to write more or shall I get Shirley from food cube development to work on it? She’s very good. She managed to stage a one woman performance of Grease with just an accordion last year.”

“Well, she does sound impressively talented Gary. I was kind of enjoying writing a song about cats though,”

“You mean parrots Sir?”

“Yes, yes, you’re right Gary, parrots! I must stay in sync with the artistic vision of the show! Am I being a diva Gary?”

“Don’t let it worry you Sir.”

“I’ll try not to Gary. I think I will take that Naruto filler guide.”

“Yes of course Sir. I think I’ll go and talk to Shirley from food cube development.”


5 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 5.

“Hello S-“

“AAAAGGGGGHHHH! pant pant Oh Gary, it’s just you. Sorry about that.”

“That’s alright Sir. You seem distressed?”

“I am undressed Gary.”

“Yes, I can see that Sir. Did something scare you?”

“Well you scared me a bit Gary, but that’s not really your fault.”

“You’re not usually scared of me Sir. Was there something else that scared you before that?”

“Well you see Gary…

…I’ve been watching Supernatural again.”

“Sir, you know this always happens whenever you get entangled in the lives of the Winchester brothers.”

“There was a clown Gary! A scary, evil clown!”

“Yes Sir. Would it help if I got the puppy?”

“Really? Yes Gary! Gary get the puppy Gary, the puppy I want to see the puppy!”

“Right then.”

INTERMISSION BEGINS

Buy dog pops for your pooch
And they’ll give you a smooch
With a mouth that’s nice and cool
And a minimum of drool

This aftershave is totally awesome and will make chicks totally dig you and a surfboard will magically appear and you’ll become a really good surfer and have lots of muscles and the sun will shine when people look at your faaaace… …oh yeaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Let’s all go to the bobby
Let’s all go to the bobby
Let’s all go to the bobby
Get ourselves some whacks dun dun

You want to be loved, don’t you? Buy our cereal!

INTERMISSION ENDS

“Here’s the puppy Sir.”

“Thank you Gary. Oh you little battered donut you I just want to eat you up chuchuchu mwmwmwmwmwha kiss kiss Who’s adorable? Surprise, it’s you and your cute liddle fuzzy paw paws! I love you puppy. I love you too Gary.”

“Thank you Sir! I apologise for my lack of professionalism, but the feeling is very mutual.”

“It’s alright Gary, I’m in my underwear.”

“Yes you are Sir.”

“Gary, has the puppy changed?”

“It’s gotten a little bigger Sir.”

“Why has it done that Gary?”

“I’m not really sure how to explain that Sir.”

“Oh, well, never mind. I love you, precious slightly less little puppy.”

“Sir, try and remember not to watch too much Supernatural in future.”

“I’ll take your recommendations under consideration Gary.”

“Very good Sir.”

“What did you come in here for anyway Gary?”

“Well, I… …well I’ve been watching Grimm again Sir and I… …erm…”

“I understand Gary. I hope the puppy cheered you up too.”

“Yes Sir, I feel much better now!”

“Good. Sleep well Gary.”


6 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 6.

“Good morning Sir.”

“Good morning Gary.”

“Did you sleep well Sir?”

“Well, I had this strange nightmare about a woodchuck Gary.”

“Were they having difficulty chucking wood Sir?”

“Actually their work life was great Gary but they had trouble at home, their wife was drinking and their daughter kept on trying to jump off the roof of the house. It was very sad.”

“That does sound very sad Sir. I apologize for making assumptions about the nature of this woodchuck’s difficulties.”

“That’s alright Gary.”

“Do you have nightmares like that a lot Sir?”

“Only every other night Gary.”

“That is quite a lot Sir.”

“I suppose it is Gary.”

“Is there a reason for the nightmares Sir?”

“No, no of course there isn’t, why would you say that Gary?”

“I apologise again Sir. I do seem to be getting a lot of things wrong today don’t I?”

“It’s alright Gary. I got out of bed on the wrong side today.”

“Oh, well, you don’t seem angry at all Sir.”

“I mean I literally got out of bed on the wrong side Gary, I fell into the crawlspace and got covered in sawdust.”

“I’ll arrange to have the crawlspace vacuumed Sir. Do you need any help closing the door?”

“Maybe a bit of help Gary.”

“Certainly Sir.”

“Gary, would you like a popsicle?”

“That would be lovely Sir, but maybe later. I prefer to have cereal for breakfast.”

“Is that because you want to be loved Gary?”

“It’s a different brand Sir.”

“I see. Well, I’ll see you later Gary. Go get yourself a popsicle when you want one, they’re on the third shelf of the fridge in section 3B kitchen 5.”

“Thank you so much Sir. What are you going to have for breakfast?”

“It’s alright Gary, I’ll just eat this box of cereal bars.”

“Are you sure Sir?”

“Yes Gary. It’s Thursday, remember?”

“Ah yes, of course Sir.”

“Enjoy your breakfast Gary.”

“I will Sir. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do.”


7 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 7.

“Gary, do you like flowers?”

“I think they’re very pretty Sir, but I’m slightly allergic.”

“Does that mean that you have difficulty in social situations or sensory issues Gary? My brother has that. He’s a novelist. He keeps unusual hours but he’s a very nice person.”

“I’d like to meet your brother Sir, but what it actually means that I get hay fever when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. My eyes water and I sneeze a lot and get a runny nose.”

“Do flowers make you sad Gary? I’m sorry about that. I’ll get you something else then.”

“Pardon Sir? I didn’t quite catch that.”

“Nothing, nothing.”

“They don’t make me sad but I find them rather irritating because of my adverse physical reaction.”

“I understand Gary. That’s a bit like that feeling I experience when I look at a panda and suddenly get indigestion.”

“It is a bit like that Sir, yes.”

“Gary, what is it you want the most?”

“…Sir! Is this about my birthday?”

“No, Gary, of… course… its’s not… pant pant this is hard! ahem I was just wondering that’s all.”

“Sir, are you in pain?”

“It’s nothing Gary, just a bit of gas.”

“If you’re sure. Do you like flowers Sir?”

“Yes I do Gary. My favourites are the pink ones.”

“Can you be more specific Sir?

“All the pink ones.”

“Ah! Now I understand Sir.”

“Gary, if you weren’t aspergic to flowers, which would be your favourite?”

“I do rather like nasturtiums Sir. And poppies.”

“That’s my favourite candy brand too Gary.”

“I rather like those glowing orbs with the cinnamon pudding inside Sir.”

“Perfect!”

“They are delicious aren’t they Sir!”

“…uh yes, yes they are Gary.”

“Well Sir, I’m going to go and talk to Sheryl from vacuum technology about how to more efficiently store luggage on board.”

“Very good Gary. I’m going to go and play Connect 4 with the ship’s computer. I never can beat them.”

“Good luck Sir.”

“Thankyou Gary.”


8 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 8.

"Sir, have you ever wished that you could fly?"

"Well, we're all on a spaceship Gary."

"I meant, erm, like, like a bird Sir."

"Well, I did imagine myself as a butterfly when I was younger. Is that the sort of thing you're talking about?"

"Yes! Just like that Sir!"

"Do you think I'd make a pretty butterfly Gary?"

"I'm sure you'd be very beautiful Sir."

"Thankyou. I also used to imagine myself as a bee, I would pollinate flowers and sting all the bullies in the neighbourhood until they apologised to Timmy."

"Who is Timmy Sir?"

"She was a girl in my class with cerebral palsy and an arguably ill-chosen name. They would push her over and call her names I won't repeat because they make baby Jesus cry."

"That's horrible Sir. I didn't know you were particularly religious though."

"My beliefs on the subject are very complexificated Gary. I mostly meant it as a metaphor."

"Ah, I see Sir. Well, not my place to judge regardless. Did Timmy ever get any help?"

" Well, eventually the bullies moved on to picking on to picking on this kid with a scalp condition and a lisp, Timmy became a voice actress but she still has PTSD. She was... ummm... er... she was..."

"Yes Sir? Are you alright?"

"She was my first Gary!"

“Oh, how lovely Sir. That explains why you’re blushing. Are you still in contact with her?"

"She married a pastry chef a few years ago, Carl I think his name is. We kind of fell out of touch. I sometimes still wonder how she's doing though.”

“Well, I hope she’s happy Sir.”

“I wonder if she ever wished she could fly.”

“I don’t know Sir. Maybe ask her if you ever see her again.”

“That’s a good idea Gary. I also hope Dennis is doing well.”


“Who’s Dennis Sir?”


“The boy with the scalp condition and the lisp. He really liked this obscure indie band called “Der Katzenthriller.” And apple juice. I think he moved to a small island off the coast of united britain where everything is made of rich, creamy milk.”

“They must have very advanced technology there Sir.”


“They do Gary. I think they even have wasps made out of cheese.”

“Incredible Sir.”

“Gary, I wonder if parrots wish they could swim.”

“I’m wondering about that now too Sir.”

“Well, I’m going to go and wonder about it in bed. Goodnight Gary.”

“Goodnight Sir.”


9 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 9.

“Hello Sir.”

“Hello Gary.”

“Sir, you’ve changed your hair.”

“No I haven’t… wait, yes I have! What do you think of it Gary?”

“It looks very nice Sir. What a bold colour.”

“Thankyou Gary. I wanted it to look like a poppy.”

“Well, you’re not far off Sir.”

“That’s good Gary. I hoped there wasn’t too much of a distance between us.”

“Of course not Sir. You know, I’ve been thinking of dying my hair as well.”

“That’s very exciting Gary! Are you going to give it a new name?”

“What do you think I should call it Sir?”

“I was thinking “Electric Star Fusion.” “Sparks from a Fallen Comet.” Maybe “Mavis.””

“That’s a very enthusiastic arm gesture Sir. I think I might go with “Silver Snake River.”

“I think snakes are a very underrated animal Gary.”

“I agree Sir. Like coelacanths. And grey squirrels.”

“I used to have a pet squirrel Gary. She was called “Ms. Giraffe Fabulous Deluc”. I loved her so much. Then she mysteriously disappeared one day and I never saw her again. It was very traumatic. That was when I started biting my nails.”

“I have noticed you have rather short nails Sir. Do you think she ran away?”

“Well, I did think that at first but then I saw that there was a strange mark near her cage and found some tatters of black fabric, and I started to have questions. My uncle told me to stop doing that but then that just raised more questions. Eventually I put it to the back of my mind.”

“That must have been very difficult Sir.”

“It took a lot of medication Gary.”

“I understand Sir. I wonder what did happen to her.”

“Well, she might have gone to the peanut factory a couple of blocks away. But they never found her in there.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Sir. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

“I would like to feel some butter Gary, that would be very comforting.”

“Very good Sir. Salted or unsalted?”

“Peanut.”

“Certainly Sir. I’ll go and get that right away.”

“Ms. Giraffe really liked peanuts.”

“I’m sure she did Sir. I like them too. My brother’s allergic to them though.”

“My brother has that too Gary.”

“Yes Sir, I remember. Would you like the peanut butter on it’s own or shall I bring you some bread as well? Perhaps some jam?”

“Is this one of those… “sandwich” things Gary?”

“Yes Sir.”

“That would be lovely thankyou.”

“I’ll be back shortly Sir.”

“Very good Gary.”


10 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 10.

“Sir, what’s your favourite star?”

“Dolly Parton Gary. I loved her in 9 to 5.”


“She is lovely isn’t she. But I meant in the sky.”

“I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t really know the names of any sky-stars Gary.”

“Were you not very good at that part of Commander Academy Sir?”

“I… let me think… oh, yes! I avoided that class for the entire year because my teacher humiliated me in the first lesson and when I swore at them they sentenced me to be thrown in the brig for an hour every day after class was over.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Sir, it can’t have been a very pleasant school to attend if that was the kind of punishment they doled out.”

“Well, I do have some… traumatic memories, but that teacher was a lot worse than most of them.”

“Did you have any friends at school Sir?”

“A few. There was Kurt, and Bert, and Dirt - that was her nickname you see, and Gert, and Shirt - that was his maiden name, and Ahmed.”

“I think I used to know a Shirt Sir, what was his first name?”


“Pressed.”

“No, the one I knew was called Button. Must be a different fellow.”

“How was your time at school Gary?”

“I was actually homeschooled for several years Sir.”

“My brother was too. He struggled too much with regular school.”

“In my case, it was because my parents thought that my school was insufficiently committed to my full development as a human being.”

“I understand Gary. Did they try to throw you in the brig too?”

“No, it was more subtle than that Sir.”

“Did you have any close friends as a child Gary?”

“Lipfton Kurami.”

“I’ve never heard that name before. Is it quite unusual?”

“His parents were Gundam fans.”

“I don’t understand that explanation but I’m just going to nod politely and pretend I do.”

“It’s an anime featuring giant robots Sir.”

“Well, there are a lot of anime featuring giant robots Gary.”

“Yes Sir, but most of them don’t have a character called Allelujah Haptism.”

“…

…would you like a cereal bar Gary?”

“Why, yes I would Sir, but don’t you usually eat the whole box?”

“It’s been a very strange Thursday Gary.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Sir. Shall I get you a nice cup of tea?”

“Can I have it with chocolate spread melted into it?”


“I don’t see why not Sir. How many spoonfuls would you like?”


“Two dessert spoons.”

“Milk and sugar as well?”


“Lots of milk, but no sugar.”

“Very good Sir. May I have that cereal bar before I go?”


“Here you go Gary.”

“Apricot and Walnut. Sounds delightful. I’ll be back in 15 minutes with your tea.”

“Thankyou Gary. I think I’ll go to bed early tonight.”

“I’ll bring it to you in your quarters then Sir.”

“But I’ll be wearing pyjamas Gary.”

“Of course Sir. I’ll return shortly.”


11 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 11

“Gary, do you like dolpins?”

“Yes Sir, very much. Most of them are very nice. I met one once on Arktakurus. Had really interesting ideas about quantum physics and Viennese Whirls.”

“I met an earth dolphin once Gary. It squeaked like an angel. Squirted me with water. Gave me a slippery hug.”

“That sounds lovely Sir.”

“Have you ever swum with the narwhals Gary?”

“Regretfully no Sir, never got the chance before they went extinct.”

“About that Gary…”

“Yes Sir?”

“Well, I-“

“Good lord! Gaahhhh! Oof ouch ow ah ee ooo damn it!”

“Oh god are you OK Gary? What hit the ship?”

“I think I’m OK, I bruised my shin but that’s about it. According to the computer it was a small piece of space debris, probably some sort of rock.”

“Someone threw away a rock in space!?”

“Yes that’s right Sir.”

“Alright Gary, I just wanted to make sure I understood that properly.”

“Very good Sir.”

“Do you want me to kiss your shin better Gary?”

“That’s very kind of you Sir but I think I’ll decline.”

“Someone get Gary a reclining chair!”

“I… yes thank you very much Sir.”

“Here we are. Thank you Jasminder.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“Would you like a biscuit Gary?”

“Yes Sir, but won’t they all have gotten crushed in the collision?”

“Surely our ship’s tech is more advanced than that Gary?”

“Hopefully Sir. I will have a biscuit thankyou, even if it is in tiny little chocolatey fragments.”

“Somebody bring Gary a biscuit!”

“Oh that’s lovely thankyou. Bourbons and Jaffa Cakes. Why they aren’t damaged at all!”

“Well of course the Jaffa Cakes have an advantage being made of bouncier material. The bourbons were just lucky I suppose.”

“What’s that you were going to tell me before we got interrupted Sir?”

“I… I can’t remember Gary.”

“Ah well, don't worry about it Sir.”

“Are the rest of the ship’s crew alright Gary?”

“Carmen’s spaghetti bolognese got ruined, as did Leo’s new hairdo, but other than that everyone’s fine.”

“That’s a relief. I’ll have a biscuit too.”

“Certainly Sir.”


12 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 12

‘There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you Gary.’

‘Yes Sir?’

‘Well, I was wondering, Gary… Can we adopt a sloth?’

‘Well Sir, I think that might be a bit impractical, you know, on a spaceship.’

‘Oh.’

‘Oh Sir, you’re making that sad face. What made you want to adopt a sloth?’

‘Well, I saw a charity appeal on the Love Flakes channel and it said that they’re having a very hard time in their natural habitat and if we adopt them then they can have better lives.’

‘Oh I see! Did you mean to sponsor a sloth Sir?’

‘Well, I don’t know… I may have sort of drawn up some plans for converting part of the ship into an expansive jungle area for the sloth to live in. I thought it would be safer on here than in the wild, and I had this idea for a safety net below it’s branches so that if it mistakes it’s arm for a branch it won’t fall to it’s death or sprain it’s delicate sloth ankles.’

‘That’s awfully nice Sir but I feel that it might be better for the sloth to be in an animal sanctuary. It’s generally the best place for them if they can’t live in the wild.’

‘Oh, well, alright then Gary, if it’s what’s best for the sloth.’

‘Very good Sir.’

‘Gary, what happened with that musical that the ship’s crew was staging in the end?’

‘Oh, it went wonderfully Sir! Shirley from food cube development stole the show!’

‘Oh dear, I hope they managed to get it back.’

‘I mean she was the standout performer.’

‘Did she hand out the flyers Gary?’

‘Erm… yes Sir, she did actually. She was also the star of the show.’

‘That’s nice Gary. I wish I had seen it.’

‘Yes Sir, it’s unfortunate that you ate that banoffee pie.’

‘It did really disagree with me.’

‘I remember Sir. Usually your personal bathroom is so clean and well kept.’

‘I know Gary, it’s one of the things I pride myself on.’

‘Have you ever had food disagree with you Gary?’

‘Well Sir, once I encountered a particularly mean spirited plate of pickled cabbage that kept on insulting my mother and saying that things were better before people like me could join the space program.’

‘Did it also leave your personal bathroom in the most wicked condition Gary?’

‘No Sir but it spat in my eye.’

‘How awful Gary, you aren’t blind now are you?’

‘Sir, if I were blind then… thankyou for your concern Sir but I assure you my eyes are working perfectly.’

‘I’m so glad Gary!’

‘Thankyou Sir, I’m glad too.’

‘Why weren’t you allowed to join the space program before Gary?’

‘I’ll explain another time Sir. Right now we need to fill in this paperwork!’

‘But Gary… I… my arms are broken Gary.’

‘Sir, you said that yesterday and then Clarion threw a ball at you and you caught it.’

‘But… but…’

‘Come on now Sir, you need to tough this out. Ever since they passed that anti-bureaucracy law paperwork is kept to a strict minimum but there’s still the odd scrap we have to endure. I know it’s not fun but it has to be done!’

‘Ah yes, my old school motto. Alright Gary. Can you scribe?’

‘Yes Sir, but I’ll need your signature.’

‘OK, deal.’

‘Very good Sir.’

‘What’s the paperwork about Gary?’

‘Well, after we almost fell into that wormhole we need to fill in a form to report what happened, if anyone was hurt, etc.’

‘Alright Gary, let me dictate?’

‘Yes Sir.’

‘“We almost fell in a wormhole but then we didn’t. No-one was injured but we will need to replace the tennis court nets as they got eaten by a distressed zebra who is now receiving massage therapy.” That’s it Gary.’

‘Very good Sir. And what colour best represents your emotions about the incident?’

‘Shocking pink- no wait -olive green.’

‘Are you sure Sir?’

‘Yes Gary.’

‘“Do you have any further comments, or any noises expressing your feelings that you would like to record and send on to us?”’

‘Vrrrrrmmmmmm!’

‘Is that the sound of a motorcycle Sir?’

‘Yes Gary.’

‘Very good Sir! It sounded just like one.’

‘Thankyou Gary, I’ve been practising all month.’

‘Really Sir? I never once heard you.’

‘Even I have secretions Gary.’

‘You mean secrets?’

‘Yes Gary and secrets.’

‘Well Sir, now there’s just the diversity monitoring form to fill in.’

‘Must we?’

‘No, this one’s optional.’

‘I think I’ll skip it then.’

‘Very well Sir.’


13 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 13

‘Hello Sir, how are you today?’

‘Like a box of cashews.’

‘Is that a nice feeling Sir.’

‘Fairly.’

‘Very good then. I wanted to talk to you about the puppy infestation on board the ship.’

‘Gary, I mean, does it really count as an infestation when they’re so fuzzy wuzzy like warm sunshine with adorable little wet noses?’

‘I see your point Sir but they are making rather a lot of mess.’

‘Where did they come from Gary?’

‘Well Sir, you see, when a female dog and a male dog love each other very much then-‘

‘But there aren’t any grownup dogs on the ship. Just little, liddle cute tiny baby waby puppy dogs.’

‘…yes Sir actually that is odd come to think of it.’

‘Can’t we let them stay Gary?’

‘No Sir, I’m afraid not. The ship’s crew keep tripping over them.’

‘Oh god Gary, Gary none of them got stepped on did they?!’

‘Thankfully not Sir, but you see that’s the kind of thing that might happen if we don’t do something about the situation.’

‘OK Gary, you’ve convinced me. Could we round them up and put them in their own special puppy area?’

‘Well that’s the first step Sir.’

‘What happens after that Gary?’

‘Well we’ll have to find a planet where we can drop them off and they’ll be taken good care of.’

‘Promise it won’t be a planet full of puppy eating monsters Gary!’

‘I do promise that Sir.’

‘It was so hard rehoming those pigs!’

‘Yes I know Sir, but thankfully puppy meat is not really considered to be much of a delicacy on most planets.’

‘Are you sure Gary?’

‘Yes Sir.’

‘Well that’s a load off my mind Gary.’

‘We still need to deal with the puppies Sir. One of them just weed on my leg.’

‘Alright Gary, but when we’ve rounded them all up can I spend some time in the special puppy area?’

‘Yes of course Sir.’

‘Should I help round up the puppies Gary?’

‘I think it’s best we leave it to the special puppy rounding up team that I have created from the ship’s most qualified crew members.’

‘But Gary!’

‘Sir, what are you going to do when you’ve caught one puppy?’

‘Try to catch another puppy Gary.’

‘Are you going to put the first one down first?’

‘Yes of course.’

‘Where are you going to put it down?’

‘Well just next to me… I’m sure it won’t… run off…’

‘Do you see why I haven’t put you on the puppy catching squad now Sir?’

‘Yes Gary.’

‘Oh, Sir, you look so disappointed. Your job is to cuddle the puppies after they’ve been put in the special puppy area.’

‘Really Gary? I have a job?’

‘Yes you do Sir. A really important one.’

‘Thankyou Gary. I have surprisingly few jobs for a Commander.’

‘I know Sir. We should really give you more of them.’

‘Couldn’t I be on the puppy catching team if I remembered to only pick up one puppy at a time? And then put them in the special puppy area?’

‘…yes you could Sir. My opposition was unreasonable and condescending.’

‘It was Gary, but I forgive you.’

‘You’re a saint Sir.’

‘Well that’s very nice of you to say Gary.’

‘It’s true Sir.’

‘Thankyou Gary. How is the zebra doing?’

‘Karen? She’s alright now Sir. Playing on the tennis courts again.’

‘Oh good. Let’s catch some puppies shall we?’

‘Yes Sir. Now we haven’t actually designated the special puppy area yet…’
I absolutely loved this, it is inspired! Really funny
 
More Commander Will and Gary Spiders! :)

14 The Adventures of Commander Will and Gary Spiders 14

“Oh Commander Will is my name and running this ship is my game
I love puppies and cereal bars and run-on sentences
And I have to go to the toilet just like the rest of us
I got so many homies on this ship and you have to be careful cause sometimes it dips
I swear I had more Doritos than this before, hey which one of you ate all of my chips???
My name is Will, don’t wear it out, I’M NOT CALLED MCGILL!”

“Sir, there’s no need to shout.”

“Oops sorry Gary, how are you today?

“Quite well Sir, no major dismay”

“I’m pleased to hear that Gary…

Oh this is Gary, he’s the second in command, I rely on him a lot to help keep this ship in hand.
He’s efficient and punctual, and other fancy words
And sometime I’ll tell you all about his pet bird
His surname is Spiders, which is a little weird
But he’s a very nice man and he helps me shave my beard”

“Er, I don’t have a pet bird anymore Sir, it died”

“Oh Gary that makes me feel all sad and empty inside!”

“It’s really OK Sir, it happened years ago”

“Her name was Feathers, she would steal nuts and peck your toe
But only very gently, she really was quite nice
More a nibble than a peck and she would sometimes catch mice
She liked to dance along when we played Joy Division
And was quite distracting during Gary’s exam revision
Did you ever pass that exam in the end, Gary?”

“Yes I did Sir but the teacher was scary.”

“Oh Gary I’m sorry do you need a big hug?”

“That would be nice Sir, here’s tea in a mug.”

“Oh you have it Gary you’re the one who’s distressed”

“I’m not really Sir but could do with a rest”

“It’s OK Gary you go take a nap”

“Much appreciated Sir but we should finish this rap”

“Good point Gary where’d you think we should stop
Oww! Oh dear I’ve just tripped over this mop
I’m so sorry Hector you were just scrubbing the deck”

“It’s ok MC Will, at least no-one broke their neck!”

“Ah thanks so much Hector you’re a stand up guy!”

“No problem Commander, I really love your tie!”

“Yes it’s very jazzy isn’t it, Gary made it for me!”

“Sir, with you around, life will never bore me.”

“What a lovely smile Gary, should we wrap this up now?”

“Very good Sir, it’s a wrap, now everybody bow!”

@Anj just tagging you to make sure you saw this more recent entry, thought you might have missed it as it's not in the same post as the others! :)
 
I've been a bit worried about my mum's health recently so I wrote Poem 20 to help me process my feelings

Poem 20 2024

It is hot today
So people tell me
All I can think of is the coldness of your cheek
As I kiss you, silent
And the chill in the church
They always were good like that in summer
But I pray for relief from this icy, hard feeling
My heart is glass
Frozen yet broken
Mother
Please don’t leave me
I’ll be good
I will phone you every day
I will be there by your side
I will give you all the love in the world
I am a child today
Longing for your embrace
I will never again know
I remember you telling everyone how proud you were when I was born
Flowers upon my hair
Ice-cream in my mouth, the sun on my face
Leaves falling down past my legs
Snow on the ground under my feet
And you were there
Present
We were a gift to each other
I was not always part of your life
But you were always part of mine
Life weighed heavily on you
And I have wished that I could have met the little girl you once were
And held her
And told her everything was going to be ok
As I grew, I invited you to lean on me in turn
I am not sure if what I did was enough
Everything
Everywhere
Ends one day
As such, perhaps there are no happy endings
But it was a pleasure and a privilege to know you
Thankyou for my life
Thankyou for your time
Thankyou for your love
I am cold today
But I will not always be cold
And some of that warmth yet to be

I owe to you

Poem 21 2024

Attachment is beautiful
Tender
Soft
But I know it is, in some eternal sense
Transient and temporary
The ones I love the most
Mean more to me than I can put into words
Death is always with us
But so is life
People are always changing
New times come
New zeitgeists
Knowing that
I will be brave
Bold
Knowing that nothing is ever quite guaranteed in this world
I will walk forward
And face this day of possibilities and wonders
I might be a different person
In the far off, unknown future
Knowing that
Please stay by my side
Be my friend, forever
Even if forever doesn’t really exist
Let’s pretend

Poem 22 2024

When I feel good
I worry that I am doing bad
That anxiety
Seems almost woven into the fabric of my soul
I do not wish to live for, or in, pain
Or suffering
I keep feeling I somehow deserve it
That self-love
Is some great sin
I really do not like the part of my brain that thinks this way
It is unkind
Lacking in mercy
Cruel
It has wounded me in mind, body and spirit
Somewhere between excessive humility
And excessive pride
Lies something balanced
Or so they say
I am unsure how to find it
Yet I see there is more to life than self-hatred
That a better world is out there
That kindness is a real and tangible thing
From and for others
From and for myself
I am determined to make and find my happiness
And to do what I can to give some of that to others
I may be a big lady
But I feel like a small one
A bit childlike
Somewhat lost in life
But I am choosing to embrace all life’s wonderful joys and pleasures
Happiness is not zero-sum
I’m learning that
Learning that I don’t have to sever myself from myself
To hurt or injure my body
To live as a hermit in a frugal cold den
To be good
I have learned that there is as much a place in this world for me
And my soft, gentle hedonism
As there is for all the other ways of being
All the people
I like having fun!
Ultimately that’s what I want for everyone
To spread some love and happiness around
To see that neither I or anyone else
Needs to be perfect
In order to justify our existence
Now, what can I do
To make myself or someone else happier today?

Poem 23 2024

I have gotten better
At telling people how I feel
And asking for what I want
Over time
I’m still not the best at it
But I do try to be courageous
If you don’t ask
The answer will always be no
I have also learned that
My kindness is not fake
I used to think it was perceived that way
That I would seem insincere
If I expressed earnest concern for people
That is possible
But if I don’t express that kind thought and sentiment
People will not know that I feel it
Or at least, they are less likely to know
I love everyone so much
I have to show them
If people are unused to such things
Let me be the one to disarm them
With my best attempt
At a tender heart
My kindness is my own
Unique
There is a plum on my back
And I am glad I can finally see it
Through the mirror
That is the ones who love me
 

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