How many times do we
replay the broken record
How many times do we
get up and jump the needle
Do we hold on for nostalgia’s sake
Do those crackle-rich and cotton-
thick grooves sing better songs
How many repeats and repeats
until it’s time to retire or never
Just resign ourselves to unrest
get up again and again
Records don’t learn new songs
They don’t unscratch or smooth out
Should we pack it up and
store it in our memories
Move on to modern times
where everything and everyone
is easily replaceable
First published in Poet’s Haven.
Sarah Thursday 