robbieroberts16

Going it alone

I wrote this on 23rd June 2016 – the day of the Brexit referendum, before the results were announced and whilst there was a sense of foreboding amongst remain voters. Whether Brexit will be judged as the right thing or the wrong thing will only be determined by historians, many generations from now. In theContinue reading “Going it alone”

Sometimes

Sometimes. It only takes a sarcastic comment or a disdainful look.To take you down. To take them down. To take anyone down. Sometimes. It only takes a rude email. Needlessly copied to other people.To knock your confidence. Sometimes. Knowingly ignoring someone. In a corridor. In a meeting.Can make that person feel inadequate, unequal, inferior. Sometimes.Continue reading “Sometimes”

Memories of Sheena

In the summer of 2005, my grandparents informed us that they had bought a new puppy, a Cairn Terrier, and her name was Sheena. Only a few months previously my parents had bought a new Border Terrier puppy called Daisy who was beginning to enjoy life as the sole canine occupier and senior gardening assistantContinue reading “Memories of Sheena”

Memories of Daisy

I wrote this little piece about my parents’ dog, Daisy, just under three years ago. Sadly, their other dog, Sheena, passed away this week and I have written up my memories of her as well. I didn’t have a blog at the time that Daisy died, but it only feels right to publish them bothContinue reading “Memories of Daisy”

It’s a caterpillar’s life

Suspended in mid-airThen shimmies to the groundLimbo time is overHe wants to look around Something odd beyond the bushesMaking him suspiciousBut the angel on his shoulderSays it looks delicious “Go on, Tom, be strong, be boldWinners never linger”Cautiously approachesA discarded fishfinger Crispy on the outsideSmudgy on the innerNo caterpillar has ever hadA more fulfilling dinner

You bring out the best in me

You bring out the best in meThe best in all I doWhen my standards don’t get reachedThe face I see is youWhen I feel trapped insideAnd struggle to break freeYou energise, drive, supportAnd find the best in me You bring out the best in meWhen all I see is greyYou provide the colour visionTo brightenContinue reading “You bring out the best in me”

Misc. 1

History – a cacophonyOf triumphs and mistakesAcademic comment doesn’tChange the course it takes It introspects, influencesComments and reflectsBut rarely has it everChanged what inexorably comes next Some songs I just can’t listen toThey bring back too much painFrom the day that I first heard themLife was never quite the same Keep one foot with theContinue reading “Misc. 1”

Killing Time

The paper stares right back at meTaunting with its whitenessShadows once evaded now areHiding from the brightness Memory is dull right now andDampened with emotionDesperate to cling on toThe illusion of devotion Telling tales inside my mind ofSelf-deceit; chicanery Akin to the deluded mindsThat oversaw our slavery Subterfuge abounds around thePoliticians and lawyersTheir clumsiness itself revealsContinue reading “Killing Time”

Hey You

This is a song I wrote whilst at university in Exeter. I recorded it several years later in a recording studio in Manchester. It’s called “Hey You”. Hey you, don’t know what I’d doIf it weren’t for youYou’re the one of whom I thinkSee you as the missing linkIn the chainGirl you’re in my brainAndContinue reading “Hey You”

Zooming back to reality

When we get back to the officeAnd when I’m in a meeting roomI wonder if I will rememberIt’s different to when you’re on Zoom Will I turn up in the nick of timeWhilst making a cup of tea?Will I clap out loud, or raise my hand For all of my colleagues to see? When IContinue reading “Zooming back to reality”