I’m at the station,

feeling impatient,

wanting to get on my way.

 

Announcement says,

there’s been delays,

engineering works causing affray.

 

The platform’s changed,

I’m turning deranged,

as I sprint to platform eight.

 

I just catch my train,

(these connections a pain)

we finally get on our way.

 

A seat on my own,

I pull out my tome,

absorbed in a classic romance.

 

‘til the people alight,

someone sits by my side,

with ipod and ears plugged in.

 

I huff and I puff,

at the jangly stuff,

a tinny annoying old din.

 

Mr Darcy must wait,

as distracted, I hate

to gaze through the window instead.

 

I seethe and I fume,

unintelligible tunes,

wishing their batteries were dead!

 

© The i’s and Ears 02.03.2013

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Most Humorous, Senior Superlatives, Fayetteville High School, 1960 (Photo credit: North Carolina Digital Heritage Center)