Poetry: WHY I’M AGAINST CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR, BIRTHDAYS AND WEEKENDS
Henry Normal, co-writer of award-winning TV and film shows such as The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, The Parole Officer, Coogan’s Run, Paul Calf, and producer of Gavin and Stacey, Moone Boy, Uncle and Alan Partridge, among many others, has written a festive(ish) poem exclusively for Northern Soul.
WHY I’M AGAINST CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR, BIRTHDAYS AND WEEKENDS
I’m against the prescription of placebo en masse
I’m against the misconception that jollity, jubilation and generosity of spirit can be
determined by timetable
I’m against the surrender of all individuality and free will to a contrived agenda
I’m against peer pressure to emulate an idealised role model
I’m against forced obligations to suppress natural variations in temperament
I’m against any corset on the emotions,
emotional fascism and institutionalised social blackmail
I’m against the bland numbness of uniformity
I’m against denying the complexity of the human spirit, the allure of
originality and the unique nature of each human personality
I’m against the false promise that such moments are of universal
significance or in any way representative of some longer set
period
I’m against the inevitable repercussions of disappointment and feelings of
inadequacy inherently incurred
I’m against the arrogance of those converted to the culture of the calendar
which insists that all must bow to this ritual or be chastised as if in some way
lacking
Henry Normal will be at The Lowry in Salford on January 25, 2020. For more information, click here.
Editor's Picks
- “The need for us is still there.” Junior Akinola, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Manchester’s Contact Theatre
- Brute Strength: Why Our Northern Concrete is Worth Keeping
- Writing a novel in 2021? Tips and guidance from a successful 2020 debut author
- “We’re a resource for the whole of the North of England.” Kenn Taylor, Lead Cultural Producer North at The British Library North
Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities
Is your organisation interested in supporting quality journalism about culture, life and enterprise in the North of England?
For advertising and sponsorship opportunities contact Northern Soul’s Founder and Editor Helen Hugent at helennugent@northernsoul.me.uk.
Sign up for Northern Soul newsletter
The Northern Soul Poll

Recent Tweets for @Northern_Soul_
Thought for the Day: pic.twitter.com/fyi3v87Z7a
Right Good Mid-Week Read: The Man on the Street by Trevor Wood @TrevorWoodWrite pic.twitter.com/XBJk9DugG3
The People’s Choice Wine Awards 2021 northernsoul.me.uk/the-people… @PCDrinksAwards @GrazeRamsbottom pic.twitter.com/fv0luz1Uq6
“The need for us is still there.” At 28, Junior Akinola is the first person under 30 to chair a board of a major performing arts venue in the UK. But that didn't stop Manchester's Contact Theatre from hiring him. northernsoul.me.uk/the-need-f… @cparkwriter @Jr_JT3 @ContactMcr pic.twitter.com/tobyXTPpOc
0 comments