Ah my stomach churns at the realisation that if I hadn’t wasted time choosing what to wear, I could have been on the train which is now ever growing smaller. Now I must find an hour to stimulate my mind in solitude.
Hmmm should I soak up an earthy atmosphere with home grown coffee beans made with a whole lot of love or suck up to cheaply made instant coffee that’s never seen sunlight…..cooperate coffee it is then.
Rather overpriced for a cup of mocha that tastes like water and flavour.
With limited seats I ask a gentlemen if the seat that he seems rather territorial of is free and he replies “it won’t be for long”. So with that in mind I sit on the other side of him next to a senior gentlemen who has grown rather immune to the bitter taste of coffee and is shooting down an espresso with a custard tart. With a polite gesture and a camel grinding mouth he signals that I can sit next to him. How nice…..
Now with a tasteless mocha at my view I take out my boredom breaker….thank God for Chinua Achebe…now I don’t have to be left observing my surroundings and documenting it on a blog.
A little while goes by and I notice a flying insect trying hopelessly to defeat the illusion of the glass barrier that is in the way of his greener pasture. Keep trying little buddy, one day you will fly close enough to the door and be struck by a shining bright light…a journey wasted.
10 minutes has gone by and my seat hogging buddy is still preserving the seat for his ‘friend’, constantly looking at his phone and expecting someone to arrive and prove their existance. The senior gentlemen has been replaced by another senior with what seems like a replica, same styled hat, large mac jacket in blue this time and a latte….imagine if they came at the time…a picture moment for a friend that would have been. Why do old people wear the same clothes I wondered as the guy next to me nudges my side. “Sorry” he says, “that’s okay” …are you apologising for restricting anyone else from sitting and enjoying their well deserved coffee too….that’s ok…we could’ve started something. 3 strangers seated next to each other for 20 minutes and no word to speak. We are social beings yet at times when we could speak…we stay silent.
With 10 minutes left until my next train
I pack my belongings after senior #2 had left his empty cup and headed out. I leave the guy still waiting for a friend that seems to have left him looking rather foolish and lonely. If only strangers could speak…..we wouldn’t be so alone.
My Inspiration…..Strangers
My Topic…..Nothing in particular
My Opinion…..Stated
Beneath The Canvas 