Beautiful Noise

April 12, 2012

When I sat quietly in the train station I could hear it all.
Two little girls singing their hearts out.
The lottery machine announcing a winning ticket.
The shuffle of feet skimming the floor.
A man whistling a jaunty tune that faded as he walked away.
Giggles from the Via workers enjoying a break.
The announcer: Can we have your attention please.
A man flicking the edge of his coffee cup lid.
A suitcase rolling by.
An English accent.
The announcer again: All aboard.
The distant rumble of a jack hammer.
The swishing of polyester pants.
More laughter from the Via workers.
Clip clip clip from a pair of high-heeled shoes.
Somebody fumbling with a plastic bag.
A long, annoying beep from a machine that wants attention.
Keys and change jingling in a pocket.
The plastic snap of a lid freeing itself from a bottle for the first time.
The crinkle of a bag followed by the crunching of some chips.
A man clearing his throat.
The click of my camera shutter.