National Poetry Month – Day 12 – “That One’s Taken”

Day 12 of National Poetry Month.  This is also tax season!  A very busy time for me.  As a result, I’ve found that the only free time I’ve had to do my draft poems in the last couple of days has been on my subway ride to work.   The subway (if I have a seat) is actually one of my favorite places to work.  It is one place where you really can’t multi-task.  Someone else is doing the driving and your handheld computer/smart phone doesn’t work.   And, yet, if you are like me, you can always find something else to distract you, something to keep you from writing a really great poem!  See below.

That One’s Taken

On subway mornings, I try to write,
to jot down something new and bright.
My brain fills with a melody,
however, most unfortunately,
it’s not composed by me at all,
but from some Broadway musical.
Worse still, I find I’m doomed to hear
the jangling in another’s ear.
Their iPod’s turned up way too loud;
they’re making music for the crowd.
Though that’s just what I long to do–
to be heard by more than one or two–
my spoken tune, my thoughtful rhyme,
some memorable (I hope) line–
I cannot think for all the din,
the pre-played music out and in,
and when I try to write a poem,
I’m stuck in someone else’s song.

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7 Comments on “National Poetry Month – Day 12 – “That One’s Taken””


  1. I cannot think for all the din,
    the pre-played music out and in,
    and when I try to write a poem,
    I’m stuck in someone else’s song.

    love it, been there, done that, bothered by other’s song, thus you are not alone.

    enjoyed your poem,


  2. well conveyed sentiments while being bothered and inspired to write a poem of surprise.

    thanks for sharing.


  3. Yes it is true we do need to be heard by more than one or two so well done happy picnic
    http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/19/my-world/#comment-925


  4. oh, don’t you just hate it when that happens. I try to jot down a word, or two. A line. Then take it back up when the world is gone. Very good writing!

    Fragile Cloth


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