Due to construction, the MTA has Manhattan-bound L trains stopping at Bedford Ave where passengers must cross the platform and wait for another train to run shuttle to Union Square. Today I was one of hundreds of aggravated passengers waiting not so patiently. From the middle of the platform I could hear someone methodically striking cords on a violin. The sound drew me in and I maneuvered through the crowd to get a view. There was a young man with wild hair, his eyes closed, hitting the strings with his bow. Then he stopped and began humming a warm and sad “Ooooooooh ooooooooh ooooooooh” and then launched into a powerful verse from a song I don’t know. The words were sad and desperate, about someone struggling against a current and praying for help in letting go. I stood rapt; most on the platform did the same. When his verse was done he bagan striking the cords again, followed by another round of humming, and another sad verse. His voice grew in strength and filled the tunnel. Too soon, he finished, opened his eyes and smiled bashfully as everyone applauded.
The train arrived and we went on with our days
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