Bashful

By Mike Swain

Though bashful of the limelight, in his present state exposed

His instinct for survival is to tread over my toes

He doesn’t mix in pleasantries, nor does he stir a laugh

Peering at me bleakly, he’s the spider in the bath.


Stripped of his defences, no safety wires or nets

Caught fast as he once captured others, sinking with regret

He has the hair of Amy Winehouse and the legs of Steffi Graf

Peering at me bleakly, he’s the spider in the bath.


Seeking liberation from incessant heated rain

His only bid for freedom is a nosedive down the drain

He shakes a leg, or three, or six, to illustrate his wrath

“So long soapy suckers!” he’s the spider in the bath


A floater, not a swimmer,

He strikes out towards a glimmer

Of false hope around the bend

Will this tunnel never end? 


His furry body battered he relinquishes his grip

On hope and on reality, his feet begin to slip

For one against the water is unfathomable math

And so the shy are sure to die like spiders in the bath


I was born in Nottingham, England, 43 years ago, as an only child to two fabulous teachers. My father was actually a mechanic by trade, who became a technology teacher - he is a very practical sort, and the apple fell quite far from the tree there. My mother was a history and primary teacher all her working life.

I was raised as an evangelical Christian, which is where I probably developed my fascination with the wretched vs the divine concepts. I went to a Christian school, the Kings School, Nottingham (which no longer exists), before escaping to the world of secular education to attend Bilborough college to take English Lit, Theatre and Communication studies, before moving to Derby to take a degree in Performing Arts (With theatre and creative writing).

I also met my wife Hannah in Derby, and we moved down to Staines when we got married. We now reside in Newbury Uk with our two children, Chloe (11) and Charlie (8). I work as an actor and writer and currently I am based with Knightsbridge Productions working our of 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park where we create themed and immersive events and performances.

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