The Subway's Reminder

The T-station seemed remarkably still while trains were out of ear-shot. Besides a few quiet conversations, the sound that filled the tunnel was the old-timey voice of a scruffy blind man singing- his cane keeping the beat. He sang clearly, and in my opinion, much better than the majority of wanna-be-pop-stars featured on American Idol.

Maybe millions of people pass by

But they all disappear from view

Cuz I only have eyes for you.

I looked around at all the others waiting quietly for the next orange line train. And I knew we were all remembering our own love stores. While not everyone might admit to it, a romantic Ella tune magically takes you to another place. I wondered later what thoughts came to my fellow travelers during those moments… A woman’s broken heart of a recently lost love; A husband’s reminder to get those flowers for his wife on the way home; A teenager’s dream of someone to call her own. Whether this man’s A Cappella love songs brought smile, tear, or wish, we all were swept away. We’ve all experienced, or at least dreamed of some beautiful, unique love. And it’s strange sometimes what gets us to remember.

If it had been a movie, I’d picture this singer on the other side of the closing subway doors, removing his sunglass desguise and winking at us. As if to say, “you’re welcome.”