When you hop on to the tube, what plays upon your mind?
Is there something to be glad about, or only ills to find?
Can we take the gloomy view and leave it all behind,
It’s true you have the sweaty pits and distinct lack of
space,
And that one with the newspaper you want to punch right in
the face.
It’s true that through the dark and noise and the weary look
upon each face,
IT’s pretty hard to find the good to joyfully embrace.
But imagine now that we could see,
The glimpses of humanity,
That which lies at each soul’s depth,
Behind its anonymity.
Imagine we cared what they were doing and to where they
sought to go,
How different they would all soon seem once we came to know.
Whose business is as usual?
Whose day is not the norm?
Who’s relaxed, free and easy?
Who’s struggling to perform?
Whose heart is filled with life’s true joy?
Who masks an aching pane?
Who’s on their way to make dreams come true?
Whose routine will be mundane?
Who cherishes the light of hope?
Who harbours crushing fear?
Whose star is quickly rising?
Whose downfall could be near?
Who spoked to those they truly love?
Who’s missing someone dear?
Who shines bright with an inner smile?
Who fights away a tear?
Who hides behind a noisy phone,
but still feels empty and alone?
Who longs with inner happiness,
for the sanctuary of home?
Who lives in peace and all good will?
Who hates and envies enough to kill?
Whose mind races faster than this train?
Who feels calm and still?
IF we should speak before this journey ends,
Who in this mess would become our friends?
What could we know? What could we learn?
What future kindness could we earn?
In this jumble of arms and legs our precious minutes pass,
When we are part of something equal,
A melting pot of race, sex, class,
That life in any other context,
Would dismiss as just a farce.
Now sure I am not saying that you should sit in awed attention,
Now sure I am not saying that you should sit in awed attention,
Nor that we must now defy any known convention.
You can still be silent,
Still look glum,
Head buried deep within a phone.
You can still pray that no-one talks,
And desire to be left alone.
And whinge as ever you did before about the space and sweaty
pits,
And yes those people with the papers are still selfish
little shits.
But behind those faces you’ve seen a true puzzle,
A thing that somehow fits,
Be inspired and humbled that you’re just one
of its many complex bits.
So step off your train with new appreciation,
Take something special to your end destination.
Brilliant very well written
ReplyDelete