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music on trains (1)

a series of observations & people watching on trains in Los Angeles

By earthtovirgoPublished 3 years ago 2 min read
1

A woman on the train. Pale skinned, professionally dressed, black cat-eye frame glasses, brown hair pulled back in a low bun, with bright red lipstick spread across thin lips. She closed her eyes and smiled. She looked wonderfully happy as she leaned forward on her arm, which was grasping tightly to the bus pole to keep her balance. There were musicians on the train in the back, playing guitars and signing. The male singer’s voice was strong and full, but tired from a long day of performing for patrons in hopes for his cup to fill. In that moment, her struggles connected with the lyrics in his song. It seemed like even though the song was somber ode to giving up - she reveled in the moment that someone understood her, someone else had a hard day like hers, someone experienced a feeling of defeat similar to hers and wrote a love song to it.

(Observed on November 28, 2018: Red line at Hollywood and Vine)

This woman looks like she wants to cry. She has her headphones on and the look on her face is of pain, almost anguish. I look at her with curiousity, resisting the urge to ask if she’s okay. I wonder if she’s listening to a sad song about having her heartbroken, or maybe a song that reminds her of a someone long gone. I hope the person she’s sad about, in some way or another, comforts her today.

(Observed on November 29th, 2018: Blue Line to 7th Street Metro.)

He was singing ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and strumming on his guitar. He looked at me briefly. Between lyrics, interrupting his cadence, he nodded and mouthed - this one’s for you:

“You can dance, you can fly.”

A grin spread across my face. Cheesy...my first real smile today.

(Observed on December 20th, 2018: Red Line at Hollywood & Highland.)

A couple get on the train and take the two empty seats in front of me. She’s still shivering from their wait outside - it’s cold; 42°, when I checked the temperature on the Weather app. He pulls out his phone and from his bag, a pair of blue Beats headphones. He gingerly places it on top of her head and she smiles at him as she reaches her hands up to adjust them. I see him browse and select a song. Once the music begins she smiles at him again and nods her head in approval. He looks so pleased.

I place my AirPods in my ears and wonder what song he’s playing for her. And it makes me warm, the level of trust she has for him to pick her music...

(Observed on January 2, 2019: Blue Line at Del Amo Station.)

surreal poetry
1

About the Creator

earthtovirgo

watching roses bloom on earth.

@earthtovirgo on IG and earthtovirgo.tumblr.com.

all original photos taken with my iPhone.

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