Home » Poems » Duke Beaufort » Can you hear me now?

Notes About The Poem

Riding Amtrak's coach surrounded me with people talking loudly, so I moved to the quiet car. The conductor came by and made an announcement with ear piercing ferocity about the rules. "It's like a library," he said. As he was yelling, I got up to throw away some litter and said to him, "Why not speak a bit more softly?" Let's just say he didn't respond well. Not the best trained indvidual from a customer service standpoint. Most of the Amtrak people I've dealt with seem much nicer than that. For example, on the return trip, my leg was cut by the metal under the seat as I sat down. I plan to send a letter to their chairman suggesting they put a rubber piece over the metal since I can't be the only one this ever happened to.

Can you hear me now?

Amtrak with equipment’s endowed
Each car comes with stainless steel shroud
Yet my quiet ride
Was sadly denied
By announcement volumes too loud

travellimerick

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Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 7/25/2025 7:06:00 AM

Hello Duke, You’ve turned a clunky announcement into poetic protest, and I love that the rhythm keeps its cool even while your patience snaps. Next ride try earplugs and maybe a haiku to soothe the soul. LOL! I always try to go to the quiet car in the morning and you are right not always as quite as it could be. Summer Blessings, Duke, Daniel

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/28/2025 9:32:00 AM

Daniel, if you’re taking trains often, you get it completely. You’re correct….i was so annoyed I wrote this limerick on the train to ease my annoyance. Earplugs from this point forward…or even a noise cancelling headset. There’s so much noise everywhere we miss hearing nature speak to us. Smiles!!

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/24/2025 2:42:00 AM

Duke, my friend, your limerick poem contrasts the well-equipped, luxurious Amtrak train with the disruptive habit of loud notifications. The irony of a peaceful voyage being disrupted by loudness illustrates how external forces can affect personal peace and satisfaction. You used "stainless steel shroud" to describe the train's clean, modern form, indicating utility and sterility.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/28/2025 8:33:00 AM

SP, funny when we look closely at what they have and what they do, the requirement for careful and seasoned management appears evident. They have a lot of work to do and don’t have all the resources they need.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 7/23/2025 10:50:00 PM

Maybe he gets fired and gets a new job at the Library! LOL

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/26/2025 11:57:00 AM

Arthur, that is a very funny idea!!! I wonder how long that job would last! Smiles!

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 7/23/2025 2:33:00 PM

clever write...how frustrating! Noise is a challenge and that injury! oh my

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/26/2025 9:38:00 AM

Sara, thanks for the sympathy....at least I've recovered!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/22/2025 1:00:00 PM

Cleverly expressed. Sorry for your injury.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/23/2025 4:54:00 AM

Richard, I was just lucky I was wearing long pants and the wound appears to be superficial...a scratch that bled a little. Seems to me Amtrak is very short on cash and the condition of the rolling stock is not the best. That's how we do it in the USA. We get what we pay for!!! I also will now have ear plugs for any future trips!! Smiles!!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/22/2025 9:45:00 AM

I enjoyed reading your "Can you hear me now?" Limerick write. Thanks for the note on the top. Great Picture... Have a fun day writing away............

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/23/2025 4:45:00 AM

Paula, glad you liked this. Truth be told...I was so annoyed by the interaction with the conductor, that I wrote this to calm myself down. Amtrak currently has no chief executive so I sent them the details on their web site. Hopefully someone responds for the benefit of train travelers everywhere in the USA. LOL and Smiles!!!

Lin Lane

Date: 7/22/2025 8:17:00 AM

Is there no place to find peace on earth? They owe you a new pair of pants, Duke.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/23/2025 4:36:00 AM

Lin, it's amazing how much abuse hits us when we travel and place ourselves in the hands of the carrier. We would hope they would take the necessary measures to keep us from getting hurt. I seem to be lucky--no infection that I can see, so I won't be leaving Earth in the next few days

Janice Canerdy

Date: 7/22/2025 8:07:00 AM

Excellent limerick, Duke! Enjoyed. Janice

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/26/2025 5:57:00 AM

I'm staying inside nearly all the time. Next week~~~temps in high nineties, heat indices up to 112! I feel sorry for those who work outside! Have a good weekend.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/22/2025 8:15:00 AM

Thanks Janice. At least the air conditioning was working. Amtrak doesn't have a current CEO...so I just sent them feedback as allowed on their site. We only do this so things can get better for all of us. I'm not holding my breath, but we might as well let them know what's happening. Hope you can stay cool!!!

Can you hear me now?

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