Why I keep my heels

You know what?
I’m going to make the decision myself,
I’m very inspired by “Twilight,”
I don’t want a summer wedding,
I don’t want to be sweaty,
You’re right, it can’t last forever,
It’s way beyond pretend,
I have mad options, and
There’s only one Mary O’Shea.

Susan Thomsen, draft April 2026. This poem and its title consist of lines from various overheard conversations in New York, with just a couple of tweaks for sense. I call these works "street poems."

Several weeks ago Poetry Friday folks were talking about twilight and celebrating Marcie Flinchum Atkins' new book, When Twilight Comes: The Animals and Plants That Bring Dusk and Dawn to Life. I was so happy to discover and link to Rosanna Warren's fabulously atmospheric "Darklight."

Later I remembered the "Twilight" girl on the train. She (unknowingly) supplied several lines of what ultimately became the poem above. So, twilight poem #2! Fittingly, I composed the first draft on MetroNorth, which connects New York and some of the suburbs.

Heidi Mordhorst will host the round up of Poetry Friday posts for April 17th. Go, read!

Moist Poetry Journal is featuring prompts this entire month!

Photo by Susan Thomsen. @kaysuane is the mural artist.

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26 responses to “Found-language poem: “Why I keep my heels””

  1. Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing Avatar

    What a fun poem, and naturally flows, and yay “Mary O’Shea!” Perfect fit with the beaming Lady Liberty too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Michelle, I can’t remember when I heard the Mary O’Shea line, but it was so great!

      Like

  2. Mitchell Linda Avatar
    Mitchell Linda

    My favorite is: “You’re right, it can’t last forever”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      It’s likely that was someone talking about last winter, but I thought it fit here!

      Like

  3. rosecappelli Avatar

    I love this idea of using overheard lines to craft a poem. Especially love the title.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Thanks, Rose. My own heels are long gone! Now I can’t even imagine walking to the car in them, much less traveling around town.

      Like

  4. Irene Latham Avatar

    Street poems! Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Thanks, Irene. It’s kind of a kooky method of poem-making, but lots of fun.

      Like

  5. Jane the Raincity Librarian Avatar

    I have to laugh, because my friends and I recently did a movie marathon and watched all the Twilight movies (large portions of which were filmed in my home province, for a suitably wet and gloomy ambiance). 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Jane, that’s a hoot. The movies’ wedding(s?) were certainly VERY inspirational to at least one New York train rider. ha!

      Like

  6. margaretsmn Avatar
    margaretsmn

    What a fun poem! Like a found poem from eavesdropping. Cleverly played!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      You got it, Margaret. In the case of the Twilight speaker, she and her friend were talking so loudly that the whole car heard her wedding theories.

      Like

  7. cvarsalona Avatar

    Susan, your street poems are always interesting, especially since you are overhearing conversations, such as Twilight. Train rides must give you quite a bit of information to deal with.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Absolutely on the train rides, Carol! Same with the subway and bus. I just can’t be too conspicuous about writing down the lines.

      Like

  8. maryleehahn Avatar
    maryleehahn

    Way to keep the twilight love going! (And I LOVE your “overheard” poems!!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Aw, thanks, Mary Lee. Twilight continues… 🙂

      Like

  9. heidimordhorst Avatar
    heidimordhorst

    This is one of my favorite of your street poems, Susan–you can hear the many voices but the story feels whole. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Thanks, Heidi! I’m almost all out of lines, so clearly my work is cut out for me this summer.

      Like

  10. Karen Edmisten Avatar

    I love this, Susan! “I’m very inspired by Twilight” made me laugh. 😀

    What I love about your street poems is the way they leave me trying to imagine the context of the original conversations while also diving into and conjuring the new world you’ve created from the lines.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Karen, me, too, on the Twilight. I wondered, “Did I hear right?” Ha. Thanks for the nice words about the poems.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Joyce Anne Ray Avatar

    Street poems! Now I’ll start listening with a sharper ear. The poem flows so well!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Thank you! These are fun to assemble.

      Like

  12. Marcie Flinchum Atkins Avatar

    Susan, this title is perfection!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
    Susan.Thomsen

    Ha! Thanks for reading, Marcie.

    Like

  14. Denise Krebs Avatar

    Susan, I remember using your Street Poem Guide to write my own street poems last year. I love how it makes one pay attention! Fun poem–“Why I Keep My Heels” and it’s even better when you realize most of this was captured while you were out and listening to the world around you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Denise, being out and about is one of my favorite aspects of creating these! Thanks for reading. I remember your street poem!

      Liked by 1 person

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