Piercing rain falls sharply when you are around,
Trumpets in my head try to drown out the sound.
No peace of mind as thunder strikes my bones,
Panic sets in as I attempt to conceal my moans.

Like a drill sergeant’s orders constantly flying,
There would be no respite if I was here crying.
Breathing in a haphazard and stumbling way,
Struggle to get out all the things I want to say.

You know I’m a man who likes to go with the flow,
Not tied down to something I could never know.
Never will I be bullied down into deep submission,
Treating simple threats with my upmost derision.

Ultimately pressure will make me feel stronger,
Because inside I feel  I can take this no longer.
Buttons are pressed to the point of meltdown,
All thoughts of logic will plummet and drown,

So, you don’t like the way I dress,
Telling me that my hair is a mess,
Often you say I’m just too nice,
Someday soon I will pay the price.
Why can’t you come out for a drink,
Just try to change the way you think.
Is there any point going to the gym,
Surely you know you’re far too slim.
Can’t you just get angry this one time,
Do all your poems have to rhyme.
Grown men don’t like Hakuna Matata,
These little things really do matter.
Don’t you know you dance like a dick,
They are all over there taking the mick.
Are you seriously trying to chat her up,
You’re embarrassing yourself, just stop.
I really suggest you need to change,
People think you’re a little bit strange.

To all this I say: Who really gives a damn,
It is just me being me because I can.
Never tell me what I should try and be,
I pride myself on striving to feel free.

Burning anger starts to pool beneath my skin,
When I see you intoxicated by whiskey and gin.
Living for the nights completely out of control,
You don’t want to dig a way out of this hole.

As much as I used to enjoy life in the fast lane,
Seeing you last night flicked a switch in my brain.
There is more chance of finding someone new,
If I’m failing to chat up girls in the Kings queue.

I want to chat calmly about life’s beautiful things,
What makes us happy and the songs that we sing.
No more conversations about the price of Vodka,
Tonight I just want to say hello to you sober.

Please let me be the first to say,
I hope you have had a lovely day.
One of the people I admire the most,
A Grandad I can truly boast.

Sense of humour left unmatched,
Over the years become attached.
Our mutual love of Cricket is strong,
May our friendship keep lasting long.

If at Seventy-five I’m as happy as you,
There’s not a lot more I’d rather do.
Uni is nearly over, I will see you soon,
We’ll sit and laugh in your front room.

Emotions run wild at the hands of Football,
The end of this season was too close call,
By 4:45 they City were fresh out of ideas,
A blemish to remain on all their careers.

QPR by the hour were down to ten men,
But still it looked like City had choked again.
90 minutes had gone they were still behind,
United fans were going out of their minds.

But this season offered us one final twist,
One of the greats that was not to be missed,
Dzeko’s header gave City one final chance,
Aguero’s winner sent them into a dance.

Fitting end to the Premier League season,
One of the very best for so many reasons.
Excitement of which has never been seen,
The sort a neutral could only ever dream.

Man United winning 8-2 at Old Trafford,
A few weeks later 1-6 they were battered.
Arsenal’s great comeback from the abyss,
At times Robin Van Persie just couldn’t miss.

Newcastle in Europe to defy all the odds,
Spurs early form had them playing like gods.
Emotional recovery from Fabrice Muamba,
The united love I will always remember.

Steve Kean’s support grew less and less,
Being owned by Venkys can’t buy success.
Swansea and Norwich a surprising delight,
Liverpool’s position suggests all is not right.

Today belonged to those noisy neighbours,
Finally they found reward for their labours.
Whilst the Sheik’s money has played its part,
Man City deserve this for courage and heart.

For the first time in months I felt the heartbeat,
There’s tension in the air and unbearable heat.
My mouth went dry and the words became stuck,
And the best part of all is you don’t give a fuck.

Whistling calmly whilst my insides are churning,
Beautiful composure as these cheeks are burning.
Conversation a breeze as you ignore my stammer,
I’m an awkward mess compared to your glamour.

This is what happened the first time I saw you,
My mind became a constant battle of Kung Fu,
Wrestling with my confidence so I could speak,
Eventually I won through to prove I’m not weak.

Now I am older I can look back on this and smile,
Inner belief rings through that I am worthwhile.
Even two years ago I was at a loss for words,
Here I have a voice that’s waiting to be heard.