Poems
Why Not: ‘Why Not?’ An exercise in writing.
Up to Four Years of The AA by
Hasan Al-Rashid
Page of Content: Introduction Poem 1:
Why Not: ‘Why Not?’
Poem 2: Poem 3: Poem 4: Poem 5:
Wh-y-ne
Fake Naïve
When I Am Lost
36 to 34 to 39 to 32: Sprinting AA Poem 6: Poem 7:
Winging It
Non-Conformist
Poem 8: Poem 9:
hAAiku
It’s Blank Because I Can Poem 10:
Cliché
The most overused question in architecture is why? The most difficult question in architecture is why? The most dangerous question in architecture is why? The most pointless question in architecture is why?
Why?’ A question that is asked every single day. Why does it look like that? Why do people move like that? Why is the space this big? Why is it that big? Why is it that colour? Why are there circles? Why are there squares? Why this? Why that? Why is the list endless?
Why not?
Architecture has now become a method of criticising rather than designing. One looks at or makes something only to think of a provocative way of explaining it. Creativity for the sake of being creative, designing for the sake of design and building for the sake of building have been lost. But, apparently, if you want to think like this you are NAIVE. Theory and discussion is the ‘new architecture’. Being provocative in speech is now how one gains a reputation, not provocative in shape. As an aspiring architect, I don’t want to follow this trend. The fine line between theory and design has now become 1pt thick. (That’s thick for the non-architectural folk, very thick, ugly thick.)
I have a problem with people telling me that I cannot do something just because it doesn’t suit them. For whatever reason. I relish a challenge if it is being given the chance to accomplish something that someone has told me is beyond my ability. This is not arrogance. I have not assumed I can do it, but I want the opportunity to try. Even if I do not have a reason to do it: If I want to do it; I will.
Why Not: ‘Why Not?’ I express my thoughts how I like to. I express my ideas how I want to. Do I have to reason with you? I don’t think I do. I seem to be persuasive to a point. Then I get bored. And you Stop believing me too. I need to Try to Show you How to Do. I hate this question, ‘why?’ a lot. Even though I used to ask it a lot. Now I’ve changed and say ‘Why Not?’ It’s much more dreamy and innovative To do things where you don’t say why. It’s more difficult, but better. The answer to: Why? Should be: Because I want to, with evidence. But no, That’s ‘wrong’. Or naïve. Or both. The worst is: Not thought through. It’s the easy reply for a tutor. They’re starting to follow a trend, of boring. That’s not AA, or is it? Might be. Becoming like everywhere else. I love ‘form’ but, I don’t want to build a building, yet. It’s too easy. I want to orchestrate a space I want to choreograph an idea. Why? Why Not?
Wh-y-ne Why must I, must I comply Adhere to the rules, what rules? Oh my! I have drawn this shape, this line now I. Must explain myself, and tell you: Why.
Why must my shape, my design, not be like it is, even if it’s fine? Not be it’s shape for the sake of design? I present you ‘a this’ but the you wh-y-ne.
Fake Naïve Call me naïve you I’ll believe ‘f ever I need a why indeed I seem to come across As not a workaholic. But all of you are fake And have no idea how to live In this place of idea and experiment. I dream a lot And imagine more. Naïve is conquered by learning not hating Fake naïve is fun And enjoyable to play, But is it a character? I’m not sure. These words are enough To say all this stuff. It is not tough To write some words.
When I Am Lost When you can inspire me more than any other or help me, please don’t keep your wealth. When you understand me, even when I murmur and interpret me better than anyone else. When you are ready, but I have fallen behind will you wait as to not be so ahead? When I am lost whilst you are free to unwind don’t be the one who got up, left and fled. When I aspire to build a better future but struggle with simple steps before. When I am the one who is a late bloomer but still have patience to not deplore. When I am lost and you don’t come to help me because you feel I’m not of any importance. When you leave me to beg and plea don’t run to my aid with reluctance. When you tell me to do this and that but not listen to advice I give. When you are running off the track but don’t let me try to help you live. When you hurt me without any reason and don’t recognise your own mistakes. When you are lost and feeling indecent don’t come to me.
36 to 34 to 39 to 32: Sprinting AA In? - Yes. Party - Race. Parc - Maze. Casino - Fun. Write - Dream. Photo - Blind. All - done.
2/3? - Yes. High-bar - standard. Kiss - Slow. Stabbed - Bottle. Lugo - Pic. London - 24. Easy - As.
12? - No. Five? - Yes. Hard - Yes. Tough - Guess. Far - East. Amazing - Trip. Draw - Bastard. Wow, - Ok! Stuck - Young. Learning - Curve. Build - Wood. Eye - View. All - Done. Difficult - Time. Now - Third. Good - Time. More - Mature. Still - Hard. Far - West. Amazing - Trip. Ice - World. Dream - Real. Ideas - Lots. Order - Lost. Calm - Needed. Getting - There. My - Time. Two - Words.
Winging It They said it with intent They said it with meaning They said it with viciousness And jealousy They said it off the cuff They said it whilst laughing They said it without any care Or empathy They said ‘you’re winging it’ They said it with intent They said it off the cuff ‘It’ doesn’t faze me
Non-Confirmist Pondering upon a pen and pencil A thought came into my head; ‘How can I make something special, Whilst conforming to everything said? Then the answer came. Don’t conform. Do what you want.
hAAikus The AA taught me: Think experimentally, And then you shall see.
It is sad to say Three years done and gone away I’ll be back, ok!
Why why, why why why? Why, why why? Why why, why why? Why why why? Why Not?
It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can It’s Blank Because I Can
Cliché I know I’m young, I’m 21. A little experience, but I’m not done. You get young ones thinking they’re the bomb, But this fake nature is the problem. I’ve only just begun to become someone, To outrun anyone, To shun, not get spun. The learning curve can’t be undone. I’m poking-fun at the pretentious ones. There’s a ton of disguised cliché in all this ‘essay’. I’m not a know-it-all But I know I know-it-all Let’s not brawl Because you’ll stall and fall From your perch on your wall of appal. I’ll overhaul and reinstall The balance overall Let this not snowball And snowball and snowball. There’s a ton of disguised cliché in all this ‘essay’. I am not wise No-one is wise I can only advise Until you realise All of the lies that flies through the skies I’ll win a prize Even after the cries For my demise. I am not yet wise. There’s a ton of disguised cliché in all this ‘essay’. You must obey What I have to say It is not D-Day when you stray away But there is a decay In this school, okay? I can get away With whatever I say Ballet, buffet, Taipei, fish fillet. These 10 poems are super cliché