Broken Record Poem by Alexander Downie

One year short of 33.3 revolutions, stuck in a groove scratched in a torrid year.
Forever putting the needle back to the start with the same old record still spinning,
The song comforts but the melody falters at the same damn place so you can’t hear.
An irritating clicking, a frustrating noise, a sickly sound to drive your heart insane.

Perhaps we should turn a switch and stop the rancid record spinning?
Lift it gently from the turntable and look deep inside the groves for scratches.
Take a soft cloth and buff down the vinyl around the grain that lasted for years.
Try again at the right speed, hoping the click is not too loud and the song plays on.