"Oh where, oh where is my F train?"
In honor of National Poetry Month, WNYC is inviting listeners to take part in a weekly poetry challenge. Week One's assignment: write an original poem about your commute.
Read some listener submissions below, and get ready to submit your poems for Week Two's challenge: Write an original poem set in a bodega.
Use the hashtag #NYcityverse to submit your entry.
The Staten Island Ferry,
— Anna Glenn Sparks (@anniesparkie) April 6, 2018
galumphing orange
oaf that it is,
is the hand that
uncovers the birdcage of my day,
unceremoniously ripping the
blanket of twilight
off my cozy morning haze,
grinning as it crumples
the deeply purple sky
and pockets the last
couple of stars.#NYCityVerse
Ad copy is mostly harmless
— Safia Jama (@safiaPOET) April 11, 2018
But I hate those ads now posing
as poems
on the subway,
selling insurance software.
I hate those ads
like I hate
a too-slow train
or a train
that won’t stop
where it should.#NYCityVerse
"Listen," whispered Caleb.
— Chris Lopata (@ChrisLopata) April 6, 2018
"It's totally quiet."
And for a few brief moments at 7:39 am
No subway cars idled or rumbled by
No PSAs blared over the speakers
As the entire station held its breath
In awe and wonderment. #NYcityverse
Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen
— Stefan D-W (@DWstefan) April 7, 2018
I’m sorry to bother you
But does anyone have 7 bucks
Or 7 people have a dollar
For this man,
who is clearly
Too poor
to afford headphones?#NYCityVerse
#nycityverse
— Suzanne Tick Inc. (@SuzanneTickInc) April 6, 2018
I long for subways
1,2,4,5,6
U see my commute is never that mix
Of sunrise or sunsets
Or F, C or A
it's merely 14 steps down
To my office everyday.
its lonely at times missing the world And its pace
And being blessed by connecting with our human race.
Our bus is yellow
— Sarah Jacobstein (@SarahJacobstein) April 6, 2018
I imagine it's filled with jello
Some kids sing
It makes my ears ring
Finally our bus ride ends
We run inside to see our friends
The school bus is no longer our concern
until the afternoon's return ....
- Abbey, age 9#NYcityverse
Empty Seat
— Gwai (@estheticelement) April 7, 2018
The empty seat
Would I ever fit
Why was it open
Could it be tainted
There is always the doubt
With the precede situation
But when you are tired and out
Who cares about the condition#NYcityverse
The best agreement I ever did enter
— Josh Lefkowitz (@jelefko) April 6, 2018
was signing a lease near the Barclays Center.
Abandoned the bike, and sold the car -
Now take the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, Q, D, N, or R.#NYcityverse
#NYcityverse pic.twitter.com/DXbGsu8U32
— Sean (@ssmaguire2) April 6, 2018
Asking Siri, will it rain today?
— John Harrington (@johnharrington) April 6, 2018
I’ll prep my bike, and be on my way
It’s not warm, but it’s April not May
Surely cold hands are worth avoiding the A
#NYCityVerse
40 mile commute on the SAG and LIE.
— Mitch barber (@Mitchbarber21) April 7, 2018
Accompanied by coffee, granola and WNYC.
An hour of solitude, sustenance and flights of fancy. #NYCityVerse
(Oh, and Shumita received snail mail from one listener! See below.)
