My joy dances wildly, but is only mildly free,
  Tethered to a secret drawer of hate.

I’m safe behind a smile see, for who would harm me,
  Since I tidied my anger out of sight.

Glories overflow from my slow and hard pursuits,
  When oblivion is hidden from my fate.

My love of life blooms, with a boom of glee and pleasure
  Could I leave, without once glancing, if I lost the fight?

‘Don’t go’ he said
Yet still I left
But with me I carry those words,
Forever in my pocket
I don’t always peek, but I am aware they’re there.
They tell me I was loved, they show me I can hurt,
And they will evermore make me wonder –
Should I have thrown the world away to stay?

His words are destined to be lonely in my pocket
And because of that I carry them with care

You keep your ghosts well hidden
Such an important place you’ve been
All the histories you helped in the making
Their secrets you hold unseen

Your baronial beauty and grandeur
Are what entrances and enslaves
Your image, which you don’t mind sharing,
Has them coming here in waves

You gave students a home to protest
And glory to those racing your strikes
You’re a place for staff to feel proud of
Even your twitter feed got likes

Your loyal chimes keep us moving
They’re heard through the campus widely
Otago wouldn’t be the same without them
So thank you Summertime Sidey

You fought off threats of demolition
And dared us to be wise
Became a symbol of higher learning
And helped make excellence our prize.

The instructor grins at me from under his moustache, then shouts – IT’S YOUR TURN
I am ready.
What a performance!
One step out of the plane and already off my feet,
Dangling,
Out of position on the positioning platform
Earth zooms past underneath at a
Ridiculous rate
With one last look into the instructor’s mocking eyes
I let go

The world moves
Too fast to understand it
Reality unravels
As frantically as the chute’s cord
Falling,
Falling free,
Falling free of control,
Of responsibility,
Of burden
The whooshing of the wind merges
With the words
Screaming in my mind
‘ONE-ONE-THOUSAND, TWO-ONE-THOUSAND, THREE-ONE-THOUSAND, …
My mouth says nothing
Unheard, unseen, suspended in a big O
Falling,
Falling free

The world quickly slows, my mind both fuzzy and clear, I calmly descend
In a gentle invisible lift, leisurely viewing the emerald English countryside, such
A beautiful sight to see, but my wonder and awe is
Sharply interrupted,
By a voice in my ear, bellowing –
Assume landing position!

A short wait,
A hefty bump,
A forward roll that a Ninja would be ashamed of, and
I’ve made it.

And I lie there.
I lie there,
Arms and legs outstretched, a smiling simpleton
Trying to create a snow angel in a grassy field.
Then I remember
…CHECK CANOPY’

I have new pants
They’re a joy to behold
Such a perfect fit
And the colour had me sold

I braved the shops
Conversed with fake ladies
I hate it so much
I’d rather go to Hades

But the God of Shopping
Smiled down at my endeavour
Said have some lovely pants
I hope they last forever!

Hop on the back of my Harley, chick
I’ll take us for a ride
Let you see what you no longer experience
And feel what I feel for a while.
Your smile will forever be with me
I sense it when there are mountains ahead
I see it whenever I remember
All the silly things we said.
Your laugh will forever be with me
I can hear it when we twist and we turn
Enjoyment of life’s small moments -
I wish that was still your concern.
I’m sorry I didn’t have what you needed
Let me make amends, by giving you a thrill
Just hop on the back of my Harley, chick
And we’ll ride, till we’re over the hill.

Are you looking?
I think you are.
Seeing me
As I want to be seen.
You gaze at my face and I’m wrinkly no more.
You glimpse at my curves, not my lumps or bumps.
My awkwardness, you seem to find charming and
My humour often leaves you crying.
Every look seems to express just
How much my ‘wise’ words impress.
And I wonder if you are my destiny.
Though the stirrings of love may not be
From what I find within you,
But what I think you find
Within me.

Oh perfect loss,
Full of goodness, full of pain.
Brings clarity and understanding,
But always much too late.

Oh perfect suffering,
Sweet aching, stolen breath.
The longing that’s only just bearable,
Evidence of love and its strength.

Oh perfect hope,
Full of guilt yet so much relief.
Life continues despite all protests,
Where there’s no more to do than cope.

My ugly old knickers lie in wait
For the day they just know
Is their fate,
To be left near the office shower
By mistake
And embarrass me
In front of work mates.

My sock once did the same,
But if my knickers did it I'd
Find someone to blame.

Maybe Barbara from Accounts.