This is not a poem…
(but I challenge you to read it like one…)
scared to rock the boat
and make a mess
like a small boat
on the ocean
sending big waves
into motion
I might only have one match
but I can make an explosion
I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
fire away, fire away
ricochet, you take your aim
you shoot me down
but I won't fall
I am titanium
I got the eye of the tiger
a fighter
dancing through the fire
cause I am a champio,
and you're gonna hear me roari
it's the eye of the tiger,
it's the thrill of the fight
rising up to the challenge of our rival
and the last known survivor
stalks his prey in the night
we're sick and tired
of your bullshit game
you fool some people sometimes,
yeah
but you can't fool all the people
all the time
get up, stand up
stand up for your right
fuck you
I won’t do what you tell me
motherfucker
ugh
I still have a lot of fight
left in me
[Shout out to David Guetta, Bob Marley, Rachel Platton, Katy Perry (et al), Frankie Sullivan, Jim Peterick, Rage Against the Machine]
Welcome to the next addition to your mixed tape.
(If you’re just joining us, I’m coaching you through making a playlist of songs that bring you joy, except I’m calling it a mixed tape becasue I’m GenX and I can’t help it.)
What is your fight song?
I don’t mean your hype song, your-feeling-good-as-hell song. I don’t mean your I-get-knocked-down-but-I-get-up-again song. (Those songs should be cumpulsory for any mix of joy songs, so you might as well go ahead and add them.)
I mean your taking-it-to-the mattresses song. Your going to battle against Comcast, or a healthcare worker who is dehumanizing your friend, or, I don’t know fighting for, say, democracy, human rights, and other dignities.
A word of caution/reminder: this is a joy mix, so only add what makes you happy, but also, add as many as make you happy.
Remember this is a judgement free zone.
It’s not too late to start your own mix. Catching up is easy. Click here to get started.
Here is our Mixtape chat to share your mix name and some key songs.
I’m always open to ideas, suggestions, shenanigans, tomfoolery, collaborations, cheese, snacks, and field trips.
You can find my art here and here. I offer custom workshops and design. I am the proud guardian/custodian of a 16 year old cheeseburger named Patty.
If you are a free subscriber, please consider supporting my efforts to make the world a less shitty place.
All photographs and art are by me, Rubi McGrory, unless otherwise noted.
I occassionally use affiliate links. Support the arts however you can.
words and images © Rubi McGrory 2021-2025
