Sub Life.

I’m still here. I have defeated covid. I was on the verge of death and walking towards that bright light. I suffered through the nonstop cough, the peaks and valleys fatigue, but never did I lose my taste, sense or otherwise. Ok, maybe not as dramatic as all of that, but at the very least I am still here. You see sometimes deep underground is where all the exciting adventures and sometimes tragedies happen. It’s true, I have to count my blessings when some mad man let out shot after shot in the subway injuring people, causing a panic, and ruining the “tranquility” of every New Yorker. He’s captured now, which is a good thing, and in this story I wanted to focus on the not so scary side of the subterranean life. Commuters depend on these shiny metal vehicles to get them from point A to point B. Every person taking these trains has a destination of sorts. Who knows what’s on their minds, but one thing is for sure, they usually have somewhere to go, and these trains are what get them there. 

Minding your own.

Letters and numbers mark these trains. The subway has signs pointing towards the direction you might want to head. “Stand clear of the closing doors please” is audible as the electronic voice repeats the warning on every stop. Most people look towards the ground with headphones in their ears blocking out the sounds of the natural New York City wild life. Some travelers focus on their phones hoping to their deity that they are on the correct train. Depending on the time of the day the train can be at full capacity with the richness of all NYC smells and walks of life. It truly is a beautiful sight deep beneath the streets. You would lose track of day or night until you walk up those stairs leading you towards the bright and busy streets of the city. Everyone typically minding their own with the occasional homeless local introducing themselves and asking for some money. Hey, maybe you shouldn’t make eye contact? On another tip, imagine the vile things that go on in these trains, keep that locked in your brain because you will want to wash your hands after you leave. Stand clear of the closing doors please.    

Be looking good.

I saw this kid and his dad on my way to Coney. I saw a business man making calls and checking his watch. I saw this girl tripping on some kind of drug and twitching around like Regan in the exorcist film. I saw a man limbo his way under the turnstile because he didn’t have a metro card. There are people who just sit and talk out loud to anyone who happens to be listening. These messages of pure randomness echo through the subways. Truthfully, it’s often more quiet than you realize though. I know this sounds silly before I type it, but despite the recent subway shooting, you can typically just close your eyes and enjoy the subway ride in peace. Sitting down, black hoodie, headphones, eyes towards the ground, and I am happy to be with the all different, all unique, all shapes, all sizes, all cultures, all New Yorkers.