Rain and the Black Crowes

Photo by Gabriel Barletta on Unsplash

The rain fell steady that night. He opened the window and could feel the moisture in the air. He turned the lights down low and listened as nonfiction drifted out from the speakers.

The acoustic guitar, bass and harmonica all drifting in together.

He put down his phone and sat on the floor at the side of the bed, looking up through the big bay window at the grey sky and rain tapping on the window.

He loved the rain.

Was just as well living around here because you certainly got plenty of it.

He found it comforting. Reassuring.

Better than melting beneath a 30 degree sun. He wasn’t made for that.

The piano started up in the chorus, notes dancing around the vocal.

He picked up his acoustic and played along with the record listening to Chris Robinson’s soulful tones.

His head back against the bed. He just breathed.

Sometimes living wasn’t easy. But small moments made it worthwhile.

Like hearing Jimi Hendrix for the first time.

Or a Joe Perry guitar solo.

Or hearing ‘talking about a revolution’ for the first time.

He tapped his foot along to the beat. He opened his eyes and saw a bus rolling up the street. 

Soon there would be work to do. Responsibilities to meet.

But for now.

Just breathe.

(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon

Three Alarms and a Dream

Picture from makabera/pixabay

It’s always interested me when you hear about people getting up at the very early hours for work or self-improvement. I’m more of a night person. I’m sitting here writing this at 2am. It got me thinking about someone really desperate to emulate and join the ‘5am club.’

***

I’m setting three alarms for 5am tomorrow,
I’ll get going and get stuff done.
While the world is sleeping and people dreaming,
I’ll already have one battle won.

Nothing’s going to stop me now
I’ll get myself a step ahead
Laser focus, got iron will, going to kill
I’ll sleep in a gold crypt when I’m dead

I’ve tried before and it’s not easy,
The Rock, Wahlberg and Ali inspire/
I’ll work out strong, get carved and buff/
I’ve got passion, I’ve got fire.

I can see it now, my name in lights,
My family is going to be impressed.
I’ll pay for their holidays, hard work rewards.
I’m a big achiever, I’ll ace this test.

But wrapped up here good and warm.
Outside the air feels cold and mean.
Later there’s work, responsibility, and more.
I’ll just switch off my phone get back to my dream,

With the barmaid from Joes.
We were just getting a drink.

Anyways,
Goodnight.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon

The Book Arms Race

Photo by Emil Widlund on Unsplash

Why is it you always see people being interviewed on the telly or YouTube or whatever, and it’s always in front of a tonne of books?
Lined up perfectly on a shelf.

We get it.
You’re smart.
You read a lot.

Or do you?

Twenty copies of the same self-help book.
Some pristine. Unopened.

Like virgin snow.

I’m sure it started off innocent, some poor soul had a couple of books behind them.

The next person saw it and thought, This’ll blow them away. Straight onto Amazon. Credit card screaming. Fifty books and a bookshelf from IKEA.

You can pay someone now to pick the right books for you. It’s a job. A whole career. Do it just right and it almost looks like you’re sitting in the Mitchell Library.

“It’s okay. You can trust me. I’ve got books.”

Just once, I’d love to see somebody sitting there with the telly on behind them, Chewin’ the Fat reruns blaring, maybe shouting upstairs,

“Oi! I can hear you snoring!”

(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon

NPC Breaks Free

Photo by Javier Martínez on Unsplash
Some days I feel like an NPC.
I’ve only got 100 words.
And if you talk to me,
I'll say the same thing.

The same thing.

Again and again,
Until the end of the world.
Or the game.
Or the day.

Press A to Continue.

This NPC existence,
Just isn’t for me.

Every day the same,
All the way to infinity.
I’m hoping for a bug,
Or a break in the code.
That I can burst through the wall,
And make my own road

You thought you could code me
Into a corner.
But I’ve got my heart,
Set on something warmer.
I’m bursting out of this game,

So look out for me.

I’ll be popping up in windows,
And on your TV.

I was just an everyday npc,
Whiling away my days.
100 words and one expression.
But nothing more to say.

But I broke out the code,
I found a glitch.
I made friends with an AI.
And now your server is my bitch.

(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon