The woman onboard the metro

She made it on board just as the metro's doors closed-- the click as the doors clamped shut, the still image of the metro stop outside transforming into a steamed blur.

She turned away from the car's door, facing those seated onboard.

Her face was round, plump around the cheeks, a faint dab of freckles spread across the bridge of her nose. Her ebony hair was clipped into a twist behind her head, leaving only a few slovenly curls hanging out in front. She wore a pale pink sweater, zipped to the collar. 

She spoke softly, almost at a whisper. “Excuse me, ladies and gentleman,” she said. “I have a presentation.”

And so she began, a gentle song barely audible amid the rattle of the metro as it winded through the blackened tunneled. None watched, none could hear. Yet she carried on, closing her eyes as she let the notes ring through—her small plead for help. 

She finished as the metro stalled, slowing to enter the oncoming stop.  Retrieving her purse, she made her way through the metro car. “A small donation for the performance, please.”

None gave as she shuffled around the passengers, making her way back to the center of the metro car. But she had gotten back too late and the car’s door had closed, leaving her trapped behind with the passengers who averted the eyes of a woman in need of help.  

It felt like forever, as she stood still, shifting her body weight as she waited. The florescent lights of the next stop finally came into view, the individuals awaiting the oncoming train quickly becoming larger.

She didn’t look around as she lifted the metro car’s door, merely gripping her purse as she stepped out, blending into the swarm of passengers all making their way towards the exit.

From the outside, no one could have guessed that a few seconds prior she had stepped onboard, letting open a part of herself in song, hoping to receive a few coins in return.  She looked no different than the others as she transformed into the rush of the many. All too on their way through life. All too with their own stories to tell.