I recently found out that one of my favorite digital gal pals is also a MARC commuter. We go in opposites directions… me DC to Baltimore… her in the opposite direction. We are experiencing opposite ends of the same crazy commute and love/hate relationship we have with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) MARC train system. My girlfriend, Natasha Ramsey is also an amazing poet. She has given me permission to post her unedited poem “An Ode to MARC”. I LOVE this poem and if you’ve EVER had to commute on the MARC train you’ll know why. Enjoy!
“Mostly Annoying Rail Commute” describes my train ride to DC most days
MARC, your engines are old, outdated and worn
Even your conductors no longer have your support; a smile is hardly ever found.
Loud announcements hurt my ears
Please tell the 7:20 conductor/announcer wanna be Kanye rapper that after waiting forty minutes in the freezing cold,
his sing-song tone announcing the stops are not American Idol worthy.
“No standing in the vestibules! We’ll get there when we get there!”
Tell me, why are there fewer cars when you expect crowded conditions?
Why you feel the urge to slack off and not give a damn?
Is it because really, there is no competition?
The Maryland state commuter train and even its official parking lots are a joke
Cars constantly getting vandalized on lots
While MTA Transit cops give oh so helpful advice of, “park under the lights” and “good luck!”
“As usual, MARC’s facing extensive delays”
Even the morning newscaster knows the score
I swear if I could sue, MARC directors will be forced to commute
Using their own faulty, flawed train system
Let’s see how they like it when they’re stranded, losing time at work, and then ignored.
Ahhh, saving the best for last,
I bring up exhibit D which is none other than time.
For time is something you seem to care less and less and even less about
But no doubt you still bill my hard earned dimes no matter the delays and extensive cancellations
Please understand this all adds up to my frustration.
Hitching rides, metro’ing…
Everyday is an adventure.
How to fight a state entity without fear, knowing they’ll never be replaced…
It’s like Tony Soprano bullying you nicely,
“you take our trains, why should we care, get the hell outta my face!”
Now almost anything I’ll do to avoid you;
The plague you have become on my life.
No longer do I anticipate being at work by 8 a.m. so I can have dinner with my husband
No longer do evening cocktails with friends fit my plans
Constantly, your disheartened, sullied staff tells me to kick rocks
Well not in so many words but they say things like, and I quote, “if you’re unhappy, find a new way home”
Exaggerating? Here’s a verbatim PA system relay:
“Train 411 is 30 minutes delayed”
Twenty minutes later, “Train 411 is on the move”
Five minutes later, “Train 411 will bypass the West Baltimore stop; Train 415 which is no longer on schedule but only 10 mins late will pick you up”.
Seriously, MARC, what the fuck!?
Read more about Natasha Ramsey on her website http://www.natasharamsey.com
