Rick's Cafe Americain

I saw this on the subway on my way home tonight, and it resonated with me.

There was a man with tongue of wood
Who essayed to sing,
And in truth it was lamentable.
But there was one who heard
The clip-clapper of this tongue of wood
And knew what the man
Wished to sing,
And with that the singer was content.

There was a man with a tongue of wood, by Stephen Crane.

I saw this on the train this morning.  It said Stephen Crane (1871-1900). That made me sad.

Just be glad that the man with tongue of wood did not end up on American Idol.