This feels like a city breathing through its teeth. That last stanza especially—sharp, spare, and so precise. Private hell tucked between corner shop and crowd—you’ve drawn a full map with no directions. I felt it.
Awh! Excellent. I have a Jam ditty here myself… I absolutely love Wellers work. The Jam were a special band in their day. For a three piece, they had a belting sound, all of their own.
I chose a band that I've known and loved since high school, when they sent me cascading down mountains through their audio theatre of the mind. This is a tribute to James.
There’s something about the way Sometimes keeps returning—it doesn’t repeat, it echoes. Like you’re tracing the edges of something half-remembered but still felt in the body. Say something. Lose control. That sequence hit hard. This one lingers.
Thank you. The reason why I have so much self-doubt is because I'm working on the first draft of my second novel and it includes poems from the 17th century... that I need to write myself! And while poetry is dear to my heart, I do not claim to be experienced in writing it. But I am committed to telling this story, so into the fire I go.
Thank you. I'm going to give it my best try and maybe learn a few tips with some books on the subject of writing poetry. Practice does make better... :) X
Thank you. I'm grateful to everyone who used this technique, and thus brought it to my attention. It honestly didn't occur to me, until I saw how effective it can be.
Oh, James. So good. So down to earth, in it for the music, and humbled by the response it got. A soundtrack to my coming of age experience. Thanks for this. It has made me all fuzzy and warm inside!
My pleasure, my friend. I know what you mean when you say so down to earth, and yet my experience with their music cannot be described in any other way but as utterly sublime.
On vinyl, and cd. The vinyl is in its sleeve and then that is covered by a plastic sleeve. A few by James like that. Also some Smiths, and various other artists. All gifts from a very dear friend of mine. No longer with us. Except when I play those albums. I know it’s over … by The Smiths, breaks my heart every time I hear it. God bless Jimmy.
Gordon—this is like a reel of lost scenes. I Was There keeps circling back, and every time it lands a little differently—like memory trying to stick. Great composition.
This is all pulse and silk. The glide from No Sleeep to All for You is pure rhythm and ache. And The Magic Is Working before Together Again? That landed quiet and deep. You let the night speak.
This poem is composed entirely from the song titles of Janis Ian—one of the most honest and necessary voices I’ve ever known. Each title marks a moment: the ache of girlhood, the complexities of love, the fight to stay true in a world that often punishes difference.
I used her titles like map—through silence, through resistance, toward whatever light waits at the edge of being known. I didn’t write a single line of this poem. And somehow, it tells a story I carry in my own skin.
—Jay
******
J is for Janis Ian
A poem in song titles by Janis Ian —a journey through solitude, resistance, and becoming
Beautiful! Thank you Kate! I think we had Baez for B day as well and it’s great to see another song title with her. Such a rich song catalogue you can choose from.
The Jam
.
Down at the tube Station at midnight
Ghosts
Going underground
To be someone
.
Girl on the phone
Boy about town
Man in the corner shop
Private hell
.
In the city
In the crowd
The bitterest pill
The great depression
Wow! Impressive!
Lisa—
This feels like a city breathing through its teeth. That last stanza especially—sharp, spare, and so precise. Private hell tucked between corner shop and crowd—you’ve drawn a full map with no directions. I felt it.
Thanks, you're very kind 😊
Fab🫶🏻
Ahh, The Jam! Some fantastic tracks there, and a lot of great memories... 😎👍
Awh! Excellent. I have a Jam ditty here myself… I absolutely love Wellers work. The Jam were a special band in their day. For a three piece, they had a belting sound, all of their own.
I chose a band that I've known and loved since high school, when they sent me cascading down mountains through their audio theatre of the mind. This is a tribute to James.
Sometimes,
Sound
Born of frustration--
Destiny calling.
Sometimes.
Come home.
Sit down.
Say something.
Lose control.
How was it for you?
Your story,
Honest pleasure
Gone too far.
Sometimes,
This love--
Way over your head.
Sometimes.
Tali—
There’s something about the way Sometimes keeps returning—it doesn’t repeat, it echoes. Like you’re tracing the edges of something half-remembered but still felt in the body. Say something. Lose control. That sequence hit hard. This one lingers.
My friend, you help me believe I know what I'm doing here... Thank you. XX
Oh, Tali, you know it, no doubt there. Absolutely no doubt. You are very welcome
Thank you. The reason why I have so much self-doubt is because I'm working on the first draft of my second novel and it includes poems from the 17th century... that I need to write myself! And while poetry is dear to my heart, I do not claim to be experienced in writing it. But I am committed to telling this story, so into the fire I go.
That’s a challenge Tali but am sure you can do it!
Thank you. I'm going to give it my best try and maybe learn a few tips with some books on the subject of writing poetry. Practice does make better... :) X
The Sometimes repetition is exactly where it needs to be. Gorgeous piece! Thank you Tali!
Thank you. I'm grateful to everyone who used this technique, and thus brought it to my attention. It honestly didn't occur to me, until I saw how effective it can be.
The most simple ways of writing get over looked but yes you can achieve wonders with repetition and simplicity.
Oh, James. So good. So down to earth, in it for the music, and humbled by the response it got. A soundtrack to my coming of age experience. Thanks for this. It has made me all fuzzy and warm inside!
My pleasure, my friend. I know what you mean when you say so down to earth, and yet my experience with their music cannot be described in any other way but as utterly sublime.
Crushing it Tali, and James are such an inspiring band. Took me right back to flat-shares and Edinburgh dive bars.
Great times. I’m gonna have to dig out some James on vinyl tonight. It’s been a while. I’ll be a teenager for the night!
On vinyl, and cd. The vinyl is in its sleeve and then that is covered by a plastic sleeve. A few by James like that. Also some Smiths, and various other artists. All gifts from a very dear friend of mine. No longer with us. Except when I play those albums. I know it’s over … by The Smiths, breaks my heart every time I hear it. God bless Jimmy.
And James.
Wow! You have it on vinyl? That is fantastic!
Oh yum... May I come along? Sounds like fun, in some way.
Always fun. I’m 17 and a half most days. Music helps with that .
lol Love this!
🤣
Rickie Lee Jones
Modeled after film noir. But this is song title noir...called...
****************
Little Mysteries
****************
Traces of the Western Slopes
The Last Chance Texaco
On Saturday Afternoons in 1963
Nobody Knows My Name
I Was There
The Horses
Running From Mercy
Flying Cowboys
Rodeo Girl
After Hours
Room at the Top of the Stairs
I Was There
Bad Company
A Stranger's Car
On the Street Where You Live
Rebel Rebel
Remember Me?
I Was There
Christmas in New Orleans
Sunny Afternoon
Bayless St.
Mink Coat at the Bus Stop
A Face in the Crowd
I Was There
Cycles
I'll Be Seeing You
Second Time Around
Comin' Back To Me
I Wasn't Here
I Was There
Where I Like It Best
Another great piece from you Gordon! Thanks again!
Gordon—this is like a reel of lost scenes. I Was There keeps circling back, and every time it lands a little differently—like memory trying to stick. Great composition.
I love the repeating of "I was there" with a different context every time. It elevated it even further. This is what we call Zen level, my friend.
That’s a beauty Gordon!
Fantastic!!
2nite
Dream Street
The Velvet Ropet
Nasty
No Sleeep
When We Oooo
Doesn't Really Matter
That's the Way Love Goes
Again
All for You
Any Time, Any Place
Call on Me
Spending Time with You
All Nite
The Magic Is Working
Together Again
SongTitles af Janet Jackson
📜 Poem af bARdisT LennArrrt (image: ❌ Imagen³)
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LPsZYrXddU69gnlH4Kmfu?si=IPqGJpoQRUGyJ45oBxG3gg&pi=SEX_4rIWSEqq1
Lovely classics! Thank you Lennart!
LennArrrt—
This is all pulse and silk. The glide from No Sleeep to All for You is pure rhythm and ache. And The Magic Is Working before Together Again? That landed quiet and deep. You let the night speak.
🥰
STC for May 10
J for Joan Armatrading
Whatever’s for us
✨
All the King’s gardens
Alice
Already there
✨
Beyond the blue
Best dress on
Body to dust
✨
City girl
Child star
Call me names
✨
Drop the pilot
Down to zero
Don’t lose your head
✨
Empty highway
Everyday boy
Everybody gotta know
✨
Friends not lovers
Figure of speech
Foolish pride
✨
Glorious madness
Goddess of change
Give it a try
✨
Help yourself
Head of the table
Hearts and flowers
✨
I remember
Innocent request
It could have been better
✨
Love and affection
Living for you
Less happy more often
✨
My family
Me myself I
More than one kind of love
✨
Natural rhythm
No love for free
Never is too late
✨
Only one
Opportunity
One more chance
✨
Promises
Prove yourself
Peace in mind
✨
Reach out
Romancers
Recommend my love
✨
Shapes and sizes
Sleight of hand
Spend a little time
✨
True love
The weakness in me
To anyone who will listen
✨
Warm love
Water with wine
Whatever’s for us
✨
Wow! You’ve done it again! Love how you push this to the next level!
Thank you😊
Very nice! 😎👍
Thanks Chris☺️
This poem is composed entirely from the song titles of Janis Ian—one of the most honest and necessary voices I’ve ever known. Each title marks a moment: the ache of girlhood, the complexities of love, the fight to stay true in a world that often punishes difference.
I used her titles like map—through silence, through resistance, toward whatever light waits at the edge of being known. I didn’t write a single line of this poem. And somehow, it tells a story I carry in my own skin.
—Jay
******
J is for Janis Ian
A poem in song titles by Janis Ian —a journey through solitude, resistance, and becoming
.
At Seventeen
She’s Alone Tonight
The Man You Are in Me
This Must Be Wrong
.
Then Tangles of My Mind
Resist
Dancing in the Dark
Better Times Will Come
.
Days Like These
Whereever Good Dreams Go
The Light at the End of the Line
I’m Still Standing
.
When the Party’s Over
Breaking Silence
Shine On
Amazing grace
A lovely juxtaposition between dark and light.
Thank you WPSE
Where do good dreams go? To the tangles of our mind perhaps… truly beautiful poem Jay. 💖
Thank you Darienne, very much appreciated
J is for Jane
Jane Baez
Farewell Angeline
Wildwood flower
Pilgrim of sorrow
Never dreamed you’d leave in the summer
Fare thee well, Angeline
Silver dagger
Girl of constant sorrow
The wild mountain thyme
Heaven help us all, Angeline
The salt of the Earth
Fountain of sorrow
The river in the pines
There but for fortune
Simple twist of fate
Winds of the old days
Farewell Angeline
Mama, you been on my mind
Reads like a haunting folk song, very fitting Kate🫶🏻
Beautiful! Thank you Kate! I think we had Baez for B day as well and it’s great to see another song title with her. Such a rich song catalogue you can choose from.
The Jam
Start
Set the house ablaze
Heat wave
Burning sky
Private hell
Little boy soldiers
Thick as thieves
It’s too bad
The place I love
Wasteland
But I’m different now
Pretty green
Sounds from the street
That’s entertainment
Non stop dancing
Boy about town
A town called Malice
Bricks and mortar
Takin’ my love
I’ve changed my address
Time for K! 😂
What a poem! I think you hit the mark with this one Kevin! One of your best!
Thanks. I enjoyed writing it.
It shows!
Knew it was Hiatt 3 lines in. Sweet!
That's impressive! You're a fan of Hiatt then!
Since Bring the Family. On Vinyl. Im old.
New to my ears, but love the poem and how it flows. (Especially the two lines with the lilacs... Gorgeous!)
JOE WALSH (Poem)
COUNTY FAIR,
DOWN ON THE FARM,
HERE WE GO,
UP ALL NIGHT,
SLOW DANCING,
OVER AND OVER,
CLASS OF '65,
LIFE'S BEEN GOOD... 🕺😎🕺
Wonderful, Chris. This sounds very American country to me the way you've written it.
Thanks! It does have that sort of vibe to it, for sure. It's amazing the things you can find hiding among these song titles! 😎
Julian Lennon's song titles:
Everything changes
Disconnected
Saltwater
Someday
Too late for goodbyes
Short sweet and perfect! Thank you Rachel!
me2