6:13 pm.
Madison Square Garden to Grand Central.
10 blocks North — 3 blocks East.
22 minutes to the 6:35 pm New Haven Line.
Rush hour. On foot.
Doable? Let’s go.
Tourists.
Suits.
Students.
Lovers.
Jaywalk.
Contractors.
Homeless.
Tourists.
Street Vendors.
Food cart. Pita. Gyros.
Cabs.
Pedicabs.
Bus tour hawkers.
Shysters.
Shopkeepers.
Jaywalk.
Three abreast.
Tourists.
Lollygaggers.
Messengers.
Bikers.
Tourists.
Black Cars.
Red lights.
Bumbin’. Jostlin’ (Sorry!)
Jaywalk.
Walk signs.
Don’t walk.
Jaywalk.
Sidewalk.
Soft spring breeze.
Pungent marinating garbage.
Zig. Zag.
Smokers.
Tourists.
City Buses.
Car horns.
Grand Central!
6:35 pm.
Jogging.
Track 29.
Railcar red lights flashing.
Conductor looking right and left.
Eye contact made. Connection!
Thank you!
No Problem!
I pause in vestibule,
Grip the cool stainless steel arm rail.
The doors slam shut.
The Train pulls away.
I find Seat.
Settle heavily.
Close eyes.
The overhead vent blows gusts of cooling air
which smother me and swallow me whole.
Bliss.
Still got it.
Notes:
- Photograph: Jaimejustelaphoto
- Related Posts: MetroNorth Series
Great post!
Thank you!
My blood pressure goes up just looking at that photo.
Smiling. I can feel it!
Good. You. Made. It. Bliss even better. Hope it’s long-lasting.
Me too! Thank you Helen
Congrats!
I was on the 5:55 to Darien. Just missed you!
So close!
What? No one annoying or interesting next to you on the train? Oh, you may have lost the sticker on your head! Good work anyway. 🙂 PS. you know I am a big fan of your writing.
Thank you Karen. Actually, no, there was one. Post is coming once I can pull my thoughts together. 🙂
Still got it? There was never a question.
Ha!
Very vivid. I’m tried now. Great post! Love the photo.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you Francine.
Did you have your cape on or in your briefcase?
Laughing. Yes, mini oxygen tanks.
No doubt you’ve still got it, though it doesn’t hurt to make sure. 🙂
Laughing. That’s for sure.
Abso-f*ckin-lutely!
Still laughing.
Lovin’ the syncopated rhythm of this DK dash across town. Still got it? In spades…..
Awwwww, thanks Lori.
Right there with you all the way on this syncopated dash. Ah, New York! There is nowhere
else on earth like it.
You are so right. Thank you…
Of course you still got it. Was that ever a question?
Laughing. Of course. Of course.
it never left.
Love it… 🙂
Thanks Carol
Thanks for the ride David! You’ve definitely got it 😉
Thank you Val!