When you pick me up from work

When you pick me up from work

You play a song on the car stereo,

turning it up loud--

    You can dream a little dream, or you can live a little dream

    I’d rather live it, ‘cause dreamers only chase but never get it.

“Now that’s poetry,” you say.

Are you saying mine’s not?

But I ignore this thought

because I can still smell resin,

and the black ash smudged

on the pad of your thumb

reminds me how you’ve probably

listened to this song for weeks now

yet keep finding new lines

that speak to you--

   I knew what I wanted and did it ‘til it was done

   So I’ve been the dream I wanted to be since day one.

Well I can appreciate that.

Besides, sometimes--usually

when you’re not having to

focus on the road and the

cars in front of you--

my thigh, when I cross

one leg over the other,

happens to speak to you

and gets me the attention

I need to write these

lines of my own.

Reviews

[Kena]

I love this, and I'm speechless now. :)

[SoLongAndThanksForAllTh..]

This poem explores the difference between traditional and contemporary art forms. Do lyrics have the same value as poems or are they just two sides of the same coin?

This poem has an element of familiarity and stability in it. This is probably a relationship that has passed the point where airs and graces are adopted for the sake of making an impression. There's a deep love there that allows the narrator to appreciate the drivers point of view without needing to discuss it or worry that the phrase, "Now that's poetry" is some sort of slight on her. Even the act of picking her up from work has a comfort and urbanity about it.

My favourite aspect of the poem is that regardless of the medium chosen the sentiments and subject are often the same. In this case the natural desire to look at a womans legs - whether it's rapped or written as poetry the subject is timeless!

I enjoyed reading this poem as it illicits discussion and it also gave me the incentive to listen to an artist I was unfamiliar with (Aesop Rock for those who can't be bothered to Google the lyrics!)