Trainee

It throbs and wheezes like a steam pump,

and pulsating, it burns a din, for sure,

but you won’t be able to take your eyes off it.

I promise you, you will hold your breath it’s that amazing.

You won’t understand the moments you share in there; not to start with -

it’s dirty, messy, unpredictable;

frustrating as hell and twice as ugly:

this thing is absolutely not beautiful.

You will get burned,

battered and bruised.

You will ache for days and come away feeling hurt in most places:

this thing is not your friend, not yet.

My advice to you is unlearn everything.

Unburden yourself of all the phoney nonsense you pledged.

There is no such thing as the science of art.

This is real life and it can’t be taught, only respected.

People will pass by your window

and you’ll see it in their eyes.

It’ll look like anger or disappointment, but believe me, it’s fear.

Fear of you and of those in there with you.

They’ll be absolutely terrified of what you mean;

terrified and jealous.

and because of that, times will be hard so just remember that this is what you liked about us right from the start.

This is what got you here

and it’s what will keep you here,

so get those sleeves rolled up:

more is in us all.

It’s not magic, but it kinda is.

And it’s not beautiful, but it really is.