This and That (advice to a young journalist)

Be quicker
have ideas
know things
like posh common
stuff
or like porn rich porn poor stuff
or like initials, like
BME - and stuff
say cool things
be smart
like a reporter.

have a blog, an RSS feed
and a username
many many usernames
and passwords

don't search your soul
for the reason you are
conscious as a human

or travel thousands of miles
to fulfil your beliefs
in blood or some other bodily manifestation
of conviction.

and try not to worry
or be cowed
by the mysteries and small pains
of your upbringing's deficiency

It will not hurt to show your fear
in deference to great folk
they will like it and talk expansively
you may laugh at them, later.

and you may be laughed at
when you make your reports.
keep in mind the Lothario
and the floozy.. they are you

and they are me.
They file reports which get seen
and heard as well and
we all do well to remember

this and that.