The Sprout

Middle Class Me

Postiwyd gan tommy b o Caerdydd - Cyhoeddwyd ar 14/01/2012 am 13:43
3 sylwadau » - Tagiwyd fel Ysgrifennu Creadigol, Diwylliant, Pobl

Tweet

Author's note: For me class is still a relevant talking point in this country as it forces unnecessary divides between people. I'm constantly aware that my life experiences have been relatively well-funded and that, coming from a balanced family background with encouraging and loving parents, the opportunities to lead a healthy, successful life are much easier to access than for some other people. This plays on my mind - I’ve had a head start, which means that I’m at a blatant advantage. However, internally, I am full of self-doubt and a small but ever gnawing guilt is present in my mind. I’m not saying I’d rather live in poverty but I’m saying that someone who succeeds from that position will feel far more fulfilled than someone who is ushered through school and uni to secure their, more often than not, 9-to-5 destiny. There is no point to this argument, other than to vent my anger and frustration at anyone who thinks being middle class is always a good thing. Poetry, on the whole, tends to be written and read by the middle class, so I tried to write a rap to capture my feelings. Perhaps ironically, it turned more and more into verse as I went along and if there are any MCs reading this, I’d appreciate any advice. If nothing else, I hope my at times angry spiel reminds you to question who you are and what you will become - don’t be defined by class if you don’t wish to be...

They say write what you know,
write what you see.
But who gives a f***
about middle class me?

If I was in poverty,
born of the street,
time done in jail,
had no shoes on my feet.
People they might listen,
hear a song of despair,
a retort to a society
that just ain’t fair.

If you start with nothing
you can prove yourself as great,
but when every little thing
is served on a plate,
you know life’s been too easy,
on these doctored avenues;
in the leafy green you live in
there’s always plenty to do.

They say write what you know,
write what you see.
But who gives a f***
about middle class me?

Look I’m not grumbling,
how dare I have such angst.
We’re lucky to be as we are,
each moment should be in thanks.
But all that I know
I know without strife,
the path to comfort is taught
in this middle class life.

Our honeyed existence,
if you have a sweet tooth,
will be much to your taste,
but it softens the truth.
You want to get on in life?
Then surely you must try.
But you’ll never escape the cushioned trap
of your middle class lie.

I want to write what I know,
write what I see.
But even I don’t give a f***
about middle class me.

News » Categories » Creative Writing

IMAGE: Peephole by Dean Terry