Jake Borrett's Writing Blog

My Happy Place

My Happy Place

(Credo Poem dedicated to those closest to me)

As the darkness says goodbye, the light greets me.

The image reveals the place where I feel happiest.

The dreamy wind brushes against my ghostly skin as I

Walk the path, guided by the trees and the birds calling my

Name. I hear the sound of a nearby river, flowing over

The small pebbles bedded below the surface of its stream.

Just before the river though, I see them. I see them all sitting

On a bench, just like the park benches in my previous town.

I watch them, the people dearest to me, turn towards me.

They don’t get up; I want to go to them. I want to join them.

I see they are playing a game. A game of Articulate, a game we

Had back at our other home. The five of them and an empty seat.

The empty seat, which waits for me. So I glide to them over the grass

And sit down next to those closest to me. They don’t need to talk.

I don’t need to hear them speak. I just want to stay with them but as the

Light says goodbye and the darkness greets me, I promise one day I will.

2019 has been a very tough year. I have cried lots in toilets and in the car; have felt angry, depressed and alone. I had an iron infusion in hospital due to having iron-deficiency anaemia; and witnessed the further decline of my dad, who lives with advanced progressive multiple sclerosis. We have also learnt you cannot trust everyone. It has also been emotional because my grandpa died. I also lost a good friend from secondary school, who died due to ill health at the age of twenty-five. We will never forget them.

Despite this, there have been positives and achievements throughout the year. Some of the highlights include:

› Travelling the world, including going to Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Germany and Slovenia. Some memorable moments include going on the rides in Tivoli Gardens in Denmark; visiting the beautiful village of Hallstatt in Austria; and taking in the breath-taking views of Mangart and Mount Šija in Slovenia.

› Appearing on Radio Verulam and reading pieces of poetry including ‘That’s Strength’ and ‘I Catch Stars in the Palm of My Hand’, and raising awareness of Crohn’s disease, dyspraxia, anxiety, depression and multiple sclerosis.

› Featuring in Connect Magazine talking about my tandem skydive for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia Foundation I completed in June 2018; and University of Hertfordshire School of Humanities’ ‘Student Success 2019’.

› Being in contact with the brilliant charities, Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Dyspraxia Foundation.

› Spending time with family, friends and yourself including having a poker reunion up in London; playing many games of pool; and watching the latest films for instance ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’.

I also learnt that it is important to never give up, that is important to stick to your principles, and to treasure those are truly your friends and family.

Resolutions for 2020

It is currently Wednesday 1^st January 2020 as I write this article and the year and the decade ahead is uncertain, but also exciting. Like always there will challenges ahead, but I hope there will be many more amazing times too.

Here are some of my goals for 2020:

› To achieve something, whether that is to get my children’s novel published or to go on an adventure.

› To explore, including travelling to many countries of the world. All suggestions are welcomed.

› To inspire others by raising awareness and sharing experiences of living with hidden disabilities and mental health conditions.

› To be kind to myself, including having the courage to say ‘no’ when I need time for myself.

› To be happy, by spending time with close friends and family, and yourself. Through this I will treasure the people who are kind.

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Thank you as ever for supporting me. You are the reason I keep getting out of bed in the morning. Here is to many more magical times ahead.

I Catch Stars in the Palm of My Hand

I Catch Stars in the Palm of My Hand

It is 'Anti-Bullying Week 2019'. I was badly bullied during my time at secondary school. I want to share a poem of mine with you called 'I Catch Stars in the Palm of My Hand'.

The message behind this poem is that despite how large the world may seem, you are special. Do not let your bullies make you think otherwise. You are creative, funny, passionate, determined and beautiful, and no one has the right to make you think otherwise. Be brave to tell someone and always believe in yourself.

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I Catch Stars in the Palm of My Hand

I catch stars in the palm of my hand

Little fires shimmer with a silent boy who proved his mind was loud

Bigger jewels expand with cannulas, stool samples, a stomach of spikes

Some as fat as planets circle a man lying in bed with legs as stiff as stone

While others darken with thoughts of taking one leap into the unknown

Then there are others which shine so bright with hope

Each and every star is a memory, a moment, shouting

Despite how gigantic the world may appear, we are not small

We are special.

Eternal Fires

Eternal Fires

‘Eternal Fires’ is a poem of mine which explores the importance of hindsight and looking back, but more so about the significance of letting go of these past memories in order to move forward to create positive future times. This piece touches upon personal memories throughout too. I hope you have a brilliant October 2019 and there will be lots more articles, stories and poetry on ‘Jake Borrett’s Writing Blog’ over the coming weeks and months. Take care.

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Eternal Fires

We wish happy moments were an eternal fire, always blazing

Playing games of Scrabble and Articulate as we sit on cushions

Walking over hushed bridges under a burnt orange sky

Stroking each other’s fingers under oak trees with birds soaring up high

Laughing over in-jokes, sharing slices of toast, spilling lemonade on our lap

Being together with loves ones where a good day stokes the embers

So, they continue to always shine.

But no matter how precious,

We have to let go of these past moments

If only to make others, and then we can be free

That’s Strength

That’s Strength

When you say, no.

No to the bullies who punch and kick you in the school corridor.

No to the inflammation that lines the walls of your small intestine.

No to the words which are trying to stay stuck behind your tongue.

No to the confused pathways and paralysed legs and arms.

No to the tumours slicing up your brain, corrupting your memories.

No to the fear of having a couple of drinks of coke with your friends.

No to the top of the cliff, to the bottom of the lake, the middle of the train tracks.

No to the shame of having to ask for help when you need it the most.

When you say, yes

To keep asking, keep believing, keep breathing

That’s strength

Jake Borrett's Writing Blog

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My Happy Place

Magical Times Lie Ahead

I Catch Stars in the Palm of My Hand

Eternal Fires

That’s Strength