MELODY AND RHYME

I didn’t know.
I didn’t realize.
I was unaware
that Hall & Oates had written
the hit before me.

I didn’t know.
I thought that I was the first
to envision such ideas
and attempt to enact them
in melody and rhyme.
I thought I was original
and not a common thief.

I didn’t know.
I was unaware.
I failed to research
to do – or assign –
the appropriate due diligence
to recognize
their canon
and what had been composed.

I didn’t know.
I believed that I was the first
to create music
behind the idea of detectives on surveillance.
I hadn’t considered
the possibility
that sharks might have already been recorded
in popular song.

I didn’t know.
I had not imagined
the scope of messieurs Hall and Oates’ historic creativity
or the vengefulness
of their litigators.

I didn’t know
and now
I’m out of luck
and out of time.