Tiger Lady

Dear Diary,I met an old man in my dreams last night, a grey-haired biker from up north, bit of a hippy. He reminded me of my old music master Dr. Richard Hall, in his mannerisms, except for his accent. I explained my quandary, and his only response was, "It's up to you." We had discovered two pieces of old vinyl under the earth, and a secreted testimony of a man on trial. Later on I met Mike Taylor, whom showed me two paintings he said were of a local rival of his but I could tell they were by his hand.

I awake in a maudlin mood with little or no will to continue studying. Being the one and only student on the course who is not permitted to participate in intellectual discourse is a clear-cut case of discrimination, pure and simple. I cannot justify my feelings, and as I weigh up my options, based upon a chequered and coloured sequence of events. Good times, bad times. The birthday greeting from a most important literary aficiando, a great artist gracing my concert with his presence, and an important classicist visiting the Bridport Arms, juxtaposed with these current hurdles I am trying to clear as best I can.

Today I will be exploited, yet again, at the Red café. Then I will work. I am okay with this, yet like nothing does (save a kind soul), they will not last perpetually.

I know I should study: the axe is coming down, Saturn waits for no man and devours time's offspring. I need to force myself into a positive mindset, for it is a battle of wills with the self. Let's see what else the day holds in store.

Well, I did the gig and was paid less than the usual amount, which disgusted me. I went to work and Tom has been making excuses about his shifts: so I get the pleasure of working on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve night-time, for no over-time and less than minimum wage.

The computer I borrowed has "mysteriously" been playing up: like my iPhone whenever I attempt to make a call it cuts out all of the time. It doesn't matter whether I am smack-bang in the centre of town or in my own home (I live in an urban area) it just cuts out all the time. The web doesn't work half the time. All I am trying to do is study, and I am not permitted that luxury. So, I have given up. My deadline is very soon and I just don't care any more. It is extremely bad form that I am the only student not permitted to participate in fruitful intellectual debate. It is most certainly not cricket.

About the only good thing that's happened recently is that I wrote a poem for my bosses birthday.

Tiger Lady, by M.Latham.

To walk away only when work's done: all,
Is the only way: the way of heaven,
There may be gold enough to fill a hall,
But post life there is none who can keep them,
Humility is most necessary,
For those born in high or low position,*
To serve, dutiful, conscientiously,
To never speak, but only to listen,
The stars that reigned at your nativity,
Sagittarius, a tiger lady,
I wish you a most fortunate birthday,
In the utmost sincerity, dear May.

* From the Tao Te Ching.