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Andy N’s two poems

Poet’s Note:

  1. Invisible: This piece explores the long-term effects of childhood bullying. It contrasts the lives of the bullies, many of whom ended up in difficult circumstances, with the narrator’s continued struggles and achievements, highlighting resilience and personal growth.
  2.  Pulling Ourselves Forward: This poem is an introspective look at myself from the outside battling both diabetes and dyspraxia. Through vivid imagery of nature and serene landscapes, it expresses a longing for peace and fulfilment amidst the ongoing struggles of life.    

Invisible


Most of the people who bullied you at School,

Did nothing with their lives

One in Prison after crippling a Policeman,

Another after assaulting a under age girl.


Two went to the Army boasting at 14

They would see the world only for it to come

Crashing down all around them

Squawking orders they couldn’t cope with.


You are still struggling even now at 52

Having to fight for every penny you earn,

But have written books and toured with bands

Living your life instead of letting it eat you up.


Seeing then sometimes when visiting your parents

Half-empty, unable to look you in the face

When they used to constantly bully you,

Their lives barely lived, never really even started. 

Pulling ourselves forward


Andy continues to fight with Diabetes

While I wish he could stand in forests

Watching the tangerine glow from trees

Carry across the sunset

And throw sticks across the river

Watching the wind bounce

Off the stones

Casting memories further back

Than old age allows.


Andy continues to struggle with Dyspraxia

While searching for a new day job

While I wish he could laugh at life again,

Put down the telephone looking for work

Step out of the court yard

Follow the sunset

Past the cricket ground

Towards the water reservoir 

Twilight blanketing in cream

Instead of other things

Pulling his life forward.

Andy N is the author of ten full length poetry collections, the last two being “Changing Carriages at Birmingham New Street” and “From the Diabetic Ward” and co-runs Chorlton’s always welcoming spoken word open mic night “Speak Easy”. His Podcast credits currently include “Spoken Label (Poetry / Author Chat Podcast) and Not the TV Guide (TV / Film Review Podcast) and he does ambient music under the name of Ocean in a Bottle. His band “Polly Ocean’s debut album will be out in July and he bought out his debut novel in 2023 “Birth” and is currently working on his second novel. For more details – https://linktr.ee/andynartist”.

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