Sorry if there is a delay in responses. Sometimes life gets in the way. As John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
When I first started out in poetry,
I was eager, I was fresh and so keen.
Those in the know said I really should go
and check out my local poetry scene.
When I arrived at the busy bustling venue,
the place was packed with people turned up to read.
I found that everyone was dressed the same,
silk scarves, striped shirts and glasses they didn’t need.
I sat enthralled as a poet described a cold winter morning,
I could almost feel the chill and see the frost glistening,
when I said as much to the woman sitting next to me,
she said, oh really? I wasn’t really listening.
As the other readers performed their pieces,
the crowd scrolled on their phones or chatted,
completely ignoring the poet on stage,
as if it was only their own work that mattered.
While I had come along to hear spoken word
as a change to the poetry books on my shelves,
looking around at those here tonight,
they were here only to listen to themselves.
I had come along to this event so excited,
and ended with getting my fingers burned,
those there that night were playing at being poets,
and it was time I was leaving, lesson learned.
I don’t care if open mic poetry
and spoken words nights are now all the rage,
I’m going back to my books and my pen and paper,
my poetry will now purely be on the page.
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Author:
Tom Dylan (
Offline) - Published: September 17th, 2025 02:38
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 56
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Soman Ragavan, Tristan Robert Lange, Violet_Writes, Zephyrschild, NafisaSB, The breaktime monologue
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Comments10
Tom such a great topic and well rhymed poem that strikes so close to heart. It is not just at public readings but evident on sites as well where those that do read obviously don't read to understand and give just cursory remarks so that hopefully someone else will feel obligated to read their poem. We live in an egotistical self centered society where everything is about me. A great read and a fave
That was exactly my experience. I enjoyed listening to the other readers, but everyone else seemed to be there solely to read their work out. It really left a bad taste. Thanks so much for your comments, Soren. Really appreciated.
You are most welcome
Mobile phones have taken over our lives. It's a bigger addiction than smoking. A very strange phenomenon indeed.
Thanks for your comments.
A real experience of other's preoccupations, Tom. A phenomenon everywhere, I would think. Why not hang in there? There's probably some wheat among the chaff somewhere, and because it is so rare, doubly nutritious.
Yes, it was so strange. It felt like I was the only one listening the other people read. They were all hanging around to read their poetry, and then left. Thanks as always for your comments, mate.
Tom, this lingers…the sting of being unheard, the chatty crowd, that one neighbor dismissing with “I wasn’t really listening.” You captured the disillusionment perfectly...the excitement turned to lesson learned. Honest, sharp, and true. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thanks so much, Tristan. It was exactly like that. It would be like us on MPS only commenting on our own poems! 😀
Yeah. For sure! You are most welcome!
Amused in the narrator’s wry reflection on the experience. Nicely written.
Thanks a lot, Fina. Really appreciate your comments.
Wonderful words Tom, many just do not listen to many things.
Andy
Thanks a lot, Andy. Really appreciate your comments.
I thought it was all about me!
Haha! Thanks, mate. 😀
I've had the same unfortunate experience with a zoom poetry group. All the physical poets chatted amongst themselves, barely giving the poet a passing nod.
Yes, that was exactly it. I went along not only to read, but also to listen to the others as a fan of poetry in general. But I was the only one there with that outlook. Thanks for your comments.
Excellent wok, Tom.
Thanks so much, brother. Really appreciated.
i agree with you completely - somehow i feel these gatherings are just an avenue for some narcissists to boast about their creations, and ignore the lovely work floating around - maybe that is why i avoid such meetings, and prefer to just post my work in selected forums
That was exactly my experience! I went along as much to listen as to read, and when I looked around I was the only one paying any attention to the other readers. Thanks so much for your comments. Really appreciated.
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