1632: Song on the Subway | Ocean Vuong

[exceptindreams]

"Song on the Subway"
Ocean Vuong

Rush-hour on the A rain. A blind man
  staggers forth, his cane tapping lightly
own the aisle. He leans against the door,

raises a violin to chin, and says I’m sorry
  to bother you, folks. But please. Just listen.
  And it kills me, the word sorry. As if something like music

should be forgiven. He nuzzles into

Comments

[mieystrapurore]

This poem really spoke to me! It brings back many a memory of playing violin with my school orchestra.

[secretsolitaire]

Try putting an & in front of your nbsp; -- that should turn the whole thing into a space. :)

[secretsolitaire]

Gorgeous poem, btw! Thanks.

[exceptindreams]

Thank you! That fixed it!

[secretsolitaire]

Hurray! You're welcome.

[two_grey_rooms]

huh. that was unexpectedly lovely. maybe it's just my crusty old new yorker heart, but i started reading and went "i know where THIS is going...OMG ~~~PATHOS~~~~" but it didn't take me very long to be moved. i think it'd be much more powerful without the last three lines, but other than that, it's really, really lovely.

[subsequent]

You're right - I think it could drop the last seven lines, personally, ending with "flowing from his hands."

Other than that, it's quite lovely...

[two_grey_rooms]

oh, i really liked the idea of it ending on "I want to crawl into the hole in his violin." i like the line about wanting to put his fingers into his mouth, but yeah, a prayer humming through veins is a little trite.

clearly ocean vuong needed a workshop :P

[subsequent]

As for your question, the poem is "Abschieds Symphony" by Dorianne Laux. I must have read it a hundred times over by this point, it's one of my favourites out of all of those that you've ever posted. :)

[exceptindreams]

Thank you!

[exploring_alex]

Loved this one. Thanks!