This April marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Writing Month. When I signed with my literary agent for my novel Real Women Wear Red, she told me that my writing was “poetic, almost lyrical” and I wondered what that meant so I started exploring poetry and songwriting.
When I wrote my first official song for professional feedback, the mentor asked if I knew the difference between a poem and a lyric. It was obviously a poem. He helped me turn that poem into lyrics and it became “Everybody Lies.” Often my song lyrics start off as a poem. But can lyrics also be a poem?
What about “Just Another Dude.” Is it a poem or strictly a song?
“Just Another Dude”
You were the one I’d dreamed about
You were the one who hurt me most when I found out
I thought you’d be the one who’d be there forever
No, not ever
It may seem so simple from where you stand
You think you can just reach for my hand
But let me tell you something that may seem rude
You’re nothing more than just another dude
When we were together
We thought we were so clever
But that’s what you do when you are young
When you feel so strong
It may seem so simple from where you stand
You think you can just reach for my hand
But let me tell you something that may seem rude
You’re nothing more than just another dude
You know I hate plans that fall apart
I play my hand from the start
You like secrets I can tell for sure
Under cover lover is the allure
It may seem so simple from where you stand
You think you can just reach for my hand
But let me tell you something that may seem rude
You’re nothing more than just another dude
What do you think? A poem? A song? I can only hear it as a song now, especially with the repetitive hook.
Here’s the song written during FAWM 2025.
Screamie Birds Studios 