I have my notebook at the ready.
Now, if only the ride could be steady
My work would be on one line and not
Up and down and full of ink blots.
I thought I would use this journey to write,
But instead of simply left to right,
The words are now all over the show
Often in a language I don’t know.
I’ve done my best through rickety trips,
Clattering over rails, and up and down dips,
But my pen is all over the page in a mess.
Perhaps not my best idea, I confess.
So, this is my advice to writers on trains
Who need every bit of time they attain:
Write all you like, but follow this creed
Don’t write anything you’re hoping to read!
Wednesday 12 October 2011
How to write on trains
I don't usually write poetry, but this came to me after trying to write on a train on a particularly bumpy trip, when all I had was a notepad and pen. Hope you enjoy :).
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5 comments:
this was totally cute!
Very funny! I love it! It reminds me of trying to write in the car when I get an idea and I'm afraid I'll lose it!
Thanks both. I'm glad you liked it :). I know just what you mean, Aubrie.
Love this.
I use buses a lot - and the early bus is often full of young people doing their homework. Will never forget the lad who had to draw a line - freehand - on a graph. He had all the dots marked, and just had to join them up. Needless to say we went over a bump or round a corner every time. His paper was thin after all the rubbing-out by the time he got off. I suspect he finished it leaning on a car bonnet in the car park before he went into college.
Good to know students don't change - why do something early that can be done at the last minute? ;) I think that was my method too...
I'm glad you liked the poem.
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