Thursday, January 12, 2012

There was a man...

from here, 2012

The man in the furthest window seat from the door, the only space with a cushioned seat, he wears a faded green train conductor type hat and a synthetic vest with metallic safety stripes. I wanted to look at him longer, because he had a nice way about him, but he stood up shortly after I sat down. He very purposefully gathered his cup, napkin, and paper bag which likely held his pastry or muffin, and dusted away every crumb from from his table. He left with a free newspaper cradled beneath his arm and a humble smile. I continued to look at the now empty space and wondered what had been in his paper cup and his bag, what his plans were for today.

12 comments:

  1. Bet he was on his way to an AA meeting....the humble smile gave it away:)

    xo J.

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  2. Tell me, do you head off most days with a restaurant in mind and a notebook to fill? I'm looking to squeeze a little more writing into my days and wonder if these observations are something of a routine? If they are, this begs a second question: How do you cull through this writing, separating the wheat from the chaff?

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  3. I do this too, watch and wonder where they're off to... I am particularly interested by the elderly. Sometimes I'm too obvious- inviting? and they talk and talk...

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  4. He is sitting at my favorite table ;) ...and the next time I sit there, it will be more than just a delicious vegetarian meal. It will be stories of patrons past and future, the swept up crumbs, and the paper bag.

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  5. I'm glad to see there are other curious souls out there. I can't help it, in a big, somewhat impersonal city, but wonder about people and their tiny details. Helps pass the subway ride too.

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  6. I, too, create scenarios for the strangers around me while trying not to stare.

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  7. Rachael, Sometimes I write in a restaurant or cafe, sometimes a park or at the beach, maybe an airport or airplane or hotel or beside a pool, but mostly at home. I always carry a notebook and pen so I can write wherever I am and sometimes that even means while standing on a curb, if the curb is all that's around when a good thought occurs to me. Thoughts occur when there is space for them and the space forms when walking, drinking coffee, doing laundry, washing dishes, cooking, sometimes even while reading (I know the reading seems odd, but it happens). As far as separating the wheat from the chaff, I just reread (often aloud) and edit and move forward with what I like.

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  8. Imagining the lives of others...depending on the person I'm watching, this can lead to intense sadness for some reason...

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  9. Beautifully written. I often wonder similar kinds of things about strangers I encounter.

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  10. I, too, construct people stories. This is very beautifully written as always. It really makes the mind wander doesn't it.

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  11. He is so elegantly captured and I admire the generosity of your gaze. I'm with you on the thoughts stimulated by reading and smile to think of you - notebook in hand - on the curb and absorbed.

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  12. So perfect these words. I could see it all in my mind. I love the photo to accompany it.

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