Keiron Higgins - Poet
"I was diagnosed dyspraxic from the age of 5. The experience of living as they say on the spectrum, these days was a little daunting as I knew I was a bit different to others as I had a lot of imagination, but very reserved when I wanted to be. In school I excelled in English and was quite popular, but most other subjects I simply lurched through, as for a number of years I had difficulty with the most simple of tasks such as multiplication, balance and simple grasp of utensils. My imagination really showed I had an ability to draw cartoons due to my overenthusiastic imagination. To describe what was going on at the time inside in my head was like another world, I was very hesitant to let others in.
When I turned the age of 10 my father committed suicide. As for a number of years I had improved a lot with coping with the mechanisms this set me back a number of years as entering high school I became quite introverted. I had a small number of friends and was self conscious of how I looked. This continued on until the discovery of other creative fields after school, such as socialising with like minded people and included performing in a band, writing music and still drawing extensively.
In my late 20s I started writing poetry. This new world of writing to me opened a world to me, and my new found confidence from outside activities such as Djing and writing music. I found a way to express my humour, connect with people on a different level unbeknown to me with short snappy poems that include everything to family life, outlooks on world topics and my love of music.
With my mental health awareness, I have always suffered from depression due to my father's unfortunate demise and tried to do better for myself. I have always tried to keep myself creatively active to edge these feelings, such writing pieces on the importance of talking to others about how you feel and checking in on people."
Keiron Higgins
Poetry
Equality
I am
3rd generation quarter
Jamaican
With Irish blood
In the world I live in
I hope for more good
But we are surrounded
By constant
Separation.
I hope for the day we end this situation
For all race religion and orientation.
As we are the nation
Controlled by old fashioned traditions
Although they have been transitions
Hatred still gets the last word
And I find that absurd
As from what I was taught
From my own simple basis
No one is born homophobic
Or racist.
Love may be
A four letter word
But then again so is hate
They conflict, always up for debate
Who wins in the end?
I think it's a trend
That's it's decided in a draw
As people do not know how to be kind anymore.
So in this time of constant aural unrest
Educate yourself
Do your very best
As in my lifetime I wish to see
A world living together
In equality
Keiron Higgins
United by fate
Stuck like glue
This is one is for
My close friends true
Whether it be our love of
drinking
Music
Or how we bare all
in our poetic performing art
Ian Curtis claimed it was love
But only death will tear us apart
You are the smile on my face
The spring in my step
My thoughts with your company you do pep
Whenever I'm feeling lonely
but Not alone
Cos as many of you know
I always drunk message
And never telephone
We're like run DMC
tougher than leather
blessed with a bond that'll never sever
We'll grow to be unruly pensioners you see
So here's a poem when that day comes
From to you from me
so best believe
We're gonna get thru this
Good times will come
So don't fret mon ami
Cos I'd hate when it's over
how much you never did see
How much I love as you a friend
Unconditionally.
Keiron Higgins
Friends
Perception
Like a key without a lock
Or A clock that's lost it's tock
Like a sheep without no flock
This is how I perceive dyspraxia.
Like a road with no end
Like the letter you won't send
Ever had difficulty making a friend?
This is how I perceive dyspraxia.
Like a television with constant static
Overthink things and become erratic
But have an imagination as large as an attic
This is how I perceive dyspraxia.
Like the pen and utensils I still can't grip
The bike balance that makes me slip
I can write rhythmically about my faults while the pen ink does drip
This is how I perceive dyspraxia.
Keiron Higgins
Dyspraxia (Pro's and Cons)
Introvert
Words hurt
Unable to read a situation
Clumsy as hell
Like this is the second time i've fell
When nothing is there
Daydream
May seem
The only escape
Pen grip
Bikes slip
Will you ever master the art?
No organization
For the situation
Late as per usual
Sometimes sinking
With over thinking
Comes part of the parcel
--
Can draw
Do so much more
As been creative is more my bag
Determined
Able to motivate
With all things I associate
Can show empathy more
If you want to pore
An emotion out to me
My imagination
Can help escape a situation
As it's better than memory
The cons may out-weigh the pros
But everyone knows
How to deal with dyspraxia in their own kinda way.
The life I lead may be faced with constant doubt
But when it's brought about
It's just another negative shade of mind.
Keiron Higgins
Lockdown
'During the preparations for the show, 'Invisible Made Visible' we, like the rest of the world; were faced with Covid 19 and a global Pandemic. I asked some of our resident writers of the group to create work in response to this and their own situations. This show is ongoing and we are going to continue to document our time right now, living in this time. '
Fiona Love
Founder of Inter-Arts Company, Curator and Creative Artist.
Keyworker Crisis
How can I be told
To 'hashtag stay at home'
Cos 5 days outta 7
To the job I must roam
It's only 4 hours
But let me explain:
This job was less worrying
When people weren't cosplaying Bane!
The constant threats
Of multiplying sweats
And a cough and a splutter
Has got me feeling
Even more so like a nutter
It's not an easy thing to do
But try to do with no persistence
Is keep to that 2 metre distance
So when you clap for me
the NHS
And the rest of us on the keyworker frontlines
Just remember we are all
Constantly dodging this covid landmines
Wishing better times
When stuff wasn't so bad
When the world wasn't off limits
And a fun time was had.
Keiron Higgins
Missing
This Covid lockdown
made people add more
love more
seek folk more
tell them
"when this is over, we should hang out"
As with everyone feeling so frantic
and Paris is considered no longer romantic
even the ones we hate
could be worth a date
as we slowly contemplate
parts of our lives
when hugs and kisses
weren't as dangerous as knives.
Keiron Higgins
Questions
As time passes
I really do wonder
Shall we remain 6 feet apart
Or six feet under?
Will we really still care about those we did miss?
And will be allowed again to give them a hug and kiss?
Will there be a mask on every face?
Will animals still disregard the human race?
Will we still fight among ourselves
In this pointless divide and rule
Will Boris Johnson still be considered a fool
Will we still have use
For apps like zoom
Will certain folk still be afraid of a crowded room
Will we ever go back to normality?
And will we see an end to this Facebook nomination banality
Will the NHS finally be awarded
For their preservation of our health
And will celebrities finally realise their wealth
As far as a lot of these questions go
A lot will obviously answered "no."
But I all I wanted to see
As when this is all over
Will you have missed me?