Behind the Times in olden times gone by,
Engaging with the crossword, you could ride
Home on a train and catch no meddler's eye.
It's different now. Your crossword's hard to hide:
News comes in tabloid size. A stranger's frown
Disrupts your thinking as you try to solve
The clues, which he can read, if upside down.
He thinks you should be grateful to involve
External help. He says you are behind
The times with pen and paper, since the app
Is now the thing, and he is sure you'll find
More crossword pleasure going tap, tap, tap . . .
Except he's wrong: you are, as passenger,
So not behind the Times – but wish you were!