University Is

The row of hydro flasks standing proud on seminar desks,
The red splat outside the door of our flat made
Coz they wouldn't let me put my pressure cooker into venting mode in the kitchen.
Venting mode is what my flatmates are switched to coz of my mess one day,
But the next they are chuckling
'Bout how I mopped without getting the crud off the floor.


It is knocking on each others' doors with our fists when sober,
                                 Flopping in when drunk.
It is thinking, wow, since my flatmate won't date me,
Her boyf must be a real hunk.


University is the range of washing up liquid colours
And the cluster of tomatoey scran in the freezer,
But also Groundhog Day with linguistics lecturers asking us
What we call a bread roll and how we say ‘bath’.


When will I wash it all off?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Diderot Avatar
February 6, 2026 at 4:06 AM
OMG... the 'academic writing' is a killer, as is the 'critical thinking'. Definitely not for poets with dreams and abstract romances of all sorts, swimming in their veins. University is a hell not meant for writers of the heart. I know. I must read your others.
Diderot Avatar
February 19, 2026 at 5:37 AM
oh, become a 'poet'...such a romantic and fluid notion. Onto my 2nd and I understand the 'notion' of dropping out.... very well. Let me read your others. Creative writing much more nourishing (bad/good). It over-rules critical thinking and academic writing every day...for most 'true' poets.
Griffiths Avatar
February 7, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Indeed, I am glad I dropped out! Thank you for commenting, I'll check out yours too.
Bayles Avatar
February 2, 2026 at 6:04 PM
A nice touch of chaos during the university years.
Griffiths Avatar
February 5, 2026 at 9:53 AM
I’m glad I was able to convey this ??
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