The Quiet Zone Poem by Angela Wybrow

When travelling on a train, in the ‘Quiet Zone, ’
Why do people have to use their mobile phones?
Above the train’s rumble, they need to be heard,
So they speak very loud, so you hear every word.

On the window, there’s a picture of a phone, with a cross,
But, on some people, this request, to be quiet, is just lost.
They continue to talk on their phones, despite the sign,
And they seem to think that this behaviour is just fine.

People also sit with their earplugs plugged in;
Their music, loud, so you can still hear the din.
You can hear the annoying, tinny sounding beat.
The object of such a zone, such actions defeat.

The train staff can’t watch every passenger there,
But, this disturbance, to others, doesn’t seem fair.
If you’re sitting there, quietly, attempting to read,
With such interruptions, you will fail to succeed.

But, passengers, nowadays, are too scared to moan:
To point out that, this is, indeed, the ‘Quiet Zone.’
They worry that their reminder may be used as an excuse,
For the other person, to turn round and, at them, hurl abuse.

Passengers should show one another more consideration.
In the ‘Quiet Zone’, there shouldn’t be loud communication.
It’s a designated place for those who want to sit and relax;
Not speak loudly or turn their iPod volume up to the max.