Indiscretions by Phoenix James

Indiscretions

To tell the truth
I’ve lost count of the amount of sexual encounters
But in the end when all is said and done
What really counts, is what it all amounts to
Subtract the time taken away, by each night and each day
Minus the cheap thrills and expensive bills and it doesn’t add up to much
I’m left still counting on finding the one for me
Take away the sex and I’d still do it for the company
So what really counts
What it is to be less young, less wild and carefree
Still smiling, less naive
With all that said
I still find myself spending time in bed with women I really have no business being with
Time that would’ve been better spent being with my kids
But at the same time without that, my two offspring wouldn’t even exist
Seems every time I cease and desist, out steps another seductress on a mission to please and persist
And my addictive personality makes good sex a thing hard to resist
Especially when I mostly get back only half as good as I give
I’m like what type of bad behaviour is this
Slipshoddiness, sloppiness, slovenliness
Perhaps therein lies what the problem is
You never know what you’re gonna get
And it’s all a little bit too hit and miss
How easily we forget
And retrospect doesn’t appear to be stopping this
Solving this
In my reconnaissance, I’ve lost sight of how many abortions I’ve played a part in over time
I’ve often contemplated if god is watching, sees it as murder and we’ll all be tried for our crimes
In this life, with it forever weighing on our minds
And in the afterlife, standing before all the faces of the lives we denied
Having to explain why
Why they were forced to die
As said, you never know what you’re gonna get
Speaking of which, death is a high price to pay just to get your needs met
Dick wet, pussy wet
I often say unprotected sex with a stranger is like a game of Russian roulette
But what’s stranger is how I all too often seem to forget with each new conquest
Developing a case of amnesia when it comes to that latex
I told my young teenage son to save sex
And if you don’t son, make it safe sex
Keep in mind I’m too young to be a grandparent yet
And so is your mum
Now he’s the same age as I was when I started having fun
And his sister and him are only apart by 10 months
So my wise advice is like a double contradiction when looking at my life and the things that I’ve done
Maybe I’ll be an old romantic still believing in love and that one day it’ll come
Maybe I missed it, maybe I jinxed it, dismissed it well before it begun
Maybe I’m an escapee, injured, still hurting, in pain and on the run
Loaded shotgun
Nevertheless, I’ve just left the boudoir of yet another woman I know in my heart isn’t the one
And I’m looking back at myself from the bathroom mirror
Like really???
Is this the greatest we can do
Chasing and impregnating women who ain’t even in the faintest concentrating on you
Talking marriage and babies when you only just started dating
There’s a place for people as crazy as you
I’m unimpressed
Maybe you’d be better dressed if you didn’t invest yourself so much in sex the way that you do
In future keep your clothes on
Perhaps you’ll see less stress and be able to get more ahead and progress the day that you do
And yeah you say that you do
But from where I’m looking, lover boy, I pray that you do.

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THE POET PHOENIX JAMES

THE POET PHOENIX JAMES is a British-born, award-winning poet, author, spoken word recording artist, and multidisciplinary creator whose dynamic career spans literature, performance, film, fashion, music, and independent media. Widely recognised for fearless expression and genre-defying artistry, Phoenix James has built a powerful creative legacy that bridges page, stage, studio, screen, and digital platforms. He is a pioneer of live spoken word performance in the UK before the era of camera phones, and is known as a foundational figure in the UK and global spoken word movements. He is often mentioned alongside pioneering spoken word artists like Linton Kwesi Johnson, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Patience Agbabi, Lemn Sissay and Salena Godden for his foundational contributions to the UK’s live poetry and spoken word scene. MONIKER AND EARLY CAREER Early in his career in 1998, Phoenix James performed and released work under the moniker Phenzwaan, a name associated with several of his earliest spoken word albums and recordings. This period marked the foundation of his evolving artistic voice and experimentation within the spoken word and poetry scene. WRITER & POET Phoenix James is the author of 20 published books, exploring love, identity, vulnerability, power, masculinity, and spiritual and philosophical inquiry. His first limited edition printed poetry collection, To Whom It May Concern, was published in 2003. His work spans poetry, prose, philosophy, essays, and creative storytelling. His available book titles include, in order of publication: Love, Sex, Romance & Other Bad Things Route to Destruction Delirium of the Wise Don’t Let the Daffodils Fool You Call Me When You’re Free Far from the Outside The Ones We Didn't Kill Lessons from Everywhere Another One for Burning A Long Bright Cold Dark Summer Shame Point Zero The Sandbag Theory Soft, Sexy & Wet Below Base Level To Catch A Passing UFO Now We're Truly Beautiful We All Should Be Amazed Before When It's Time Amidst Time That Waits Time As Always Was SPOKEN WORD RECORDING ARTIST Phoenix James has released 18 spoken word albums, crafting sonic experiences that blend poetry, music, ambient textures, and emotion-driven performance. His current albums include, in order of release: Phenzwaan Now & Forever: The Definitive Collection A Patchwork Remedy for A Broken Melody FREE Haven for the Tormented With All That Said Remixes Vol: 1 Remixes Vol: 2 Light Beams from the Void The Love So Far Early CD Album Releases: Phoenix James released a number of CD albums between 2000 and 2006 under his early moniker Phenzwaan. These include, in order of their release: The A.R.T.I.S.T. (debut album) Meditations of A Cosmic Wordsmith We Will Survive Phenzwaan Live @ The Spitz Inevitable Mystique Like A Phoenix Alchemy Fluid Vol: 1 Alchemy Fluid Vol: 2 Solidified These early works represent his foundational spoken word and musical expressions prior to the digital era, showcasing his pioneering contributions and artistic evolution. With over 1,000 videos on his YouTube channel and more than 70 spoken word singles available on streaming platforms including YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, Phoenix James' work continues to influence global audiences through digital distribution. FILM & TELEVISION Phoenix James made his first BBC television appearance performing poetry in 2004, marking an important step in bringing spoken word poetry to broader audiences through mainstream media. Since then, he has appeared in and worked on several high-profile international film and television productions, including: Skyfall (James Bond) Star Wars: The Force Awakens Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Impossible Cleanskin Multiple BBC dramas and documentaries He has also written, directed, and produced independent films, such as the acclaimed mock-documentary Love Freely but Pay for Sex, which further solidifies his legacy in independent media. FASHION & MODELLING Awarded Best Male Model by Fashion TV in 2007, Phoenix James has worked in editorial, runway, and brand campaigns that blend storytelling with style and presence. COMMUNITY, COMMENTARY & LEGACY Phoenix James has produced live events, hosted spoken word showcases, and delivered workshops empowering creative voices. Beyond creation, Phoenix James nurtures emerging voices and preserves his artistic legacy for future generations. As a cultural commentator and philosopher, his work interrogates themes of intimacy, race, masculinity, freedom, and creative autonomy. ACADEMIC & EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE Phoenix James’ work is used in academic institutions and educational establishments around the world for teaching, research, and cultural study. His writng, philosophy, poetry, recordings and performances are referenced in courses on modern literature, race and identity, spoken word history, and performance art. His contributions continue to be studied for their originality, social commentary, and cultural significance. LASTING IMPACT Phoenix James continues to champion self-publishing, ensuring full creative ownership and artistic freedom. His ongoing project, The Complete Works, is dedicated to archiving and preserving his vast creative output for future generations. His legacy is built not only on the impact of his words and work but on the pioneering spirit that made space for others to follow. Phoenix James is an unstoppable ecosystem of fearless creative expression, a living, breathing force, documenting the beauty, relentless struggle, and uncompromising raw humanity of a life unfiltered. Phoenix James lives in London, England and enjoys movies, music, plays, good food, long walks, and travelling. Sign up to his website Newsletter Mailing List to stay up to date with Phoenix James news and new releases.