I have that Beetles song stuck in my head….

It kinda reminds me of the subway. There is something really lonely about the metro. Don’t get me wrong, there are maybe a million people on any given train but it’s still filled with an air of loneliness. The hard cold white plastic benches are filled with people. Some staring blankly at the crowd, the tired crowd who looks down on them with jealousy because their tired feet have to dance around in hopes of finding balance when the train comes to a stop and the rush of their tired hands as they grab a hold of the cold greasy metal bars. Some of the seated drift in out of sleep, tired from working, walking, shopping around town. The few in pairs, who sit next to each other, talk publicly into the space in front of them.

The operator comes on the speaker, announcing the next stop and the panic begins. People move, push, hurd their way to the doors, many people already there. They never moved when they got on the train, maybe in anticipation of this very moment.

Then the flood gates open, and like bulls in a pin they push, shove, do whatever they can to get out and a new crowd does the same to get into the train. They fill the empty spots created by the mass that exited and the cycle begins again. Maybe it’s because I don’t understand what the few people talking are saying or because the sound of the train tracks drowns out any voices but the train seems lonely. No body wants to be there, they’re in the middle, they just left or they haven’t arrived.

I guess I just never realized how lonely, such a crowded place could be.

4 Comments »

1. 

   you are a very good writer, my friend. i am glad you have garrett to keep you company!

   Comment by Lordog — December 22, 2008 @ 8:31 am

2. 

   Nice literal imaging! That’s why I watch spongebob during my subway commute, he keeps me company :p

   Comment by Garrett — December 22, 2008 @ 2:42 pm

3. 

   HMMM THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM

   Comment by PILAR — December 23, 2008 @ 9:11 am

4. 

   Why are you lonely if you have Garret in china? do you miss us or san francisco.

   Comment by Alexis — December 25, 2008 @ 5:08 pm

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