We Have to Check Our Stocks

On the train on my way to my busking spot, the guy with freckles who sings on the trains with the a-capella group of the guy who walks with a cane said ‘hi’ to me. He is on his way to meet the other singers at their usual get-together place at the 57th street subway…

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Slow But Enjoyable

As I was climbing the stairs to the subway station, lugging my busking gear, a mute gentleman with a bad leg offered to help me bring my busking gear up the stairs. I was very touched by his kindness through his own hardship. While I was busking at the Union Square subway station, the four…

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The Saw Lady and the Sound of Music

The Saw Lady and                                 the Sound of Music/Alex Cigale For Natalia Paruz How a piece of steel                             can sound so human The wooden handle                           goes between the legs The serrated side                         dangerously close The bow runs along                           over the steel edge Ever so slowly                   bending its body The greater the bend                             the higher the note…

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The Last Dollar

Karen, the blind, blond lady who always passes by when I play at the Union Square subway station, told me that she is anxiously waiting a call from the Museum of Natural History, regarding a job. She’s had a two and a half hour long interview at the Whitney Museum, but didn’t get the job…

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But I Still Love You

As I was riding the train towards my busking spot, a guy with a tape-recorder in his hands boarded the train at the 59th street subway station. He asked me if I was going to 14th street. I told him that today I’m playing at the Grand Central Station’s Shuttle to Times Square. Man: “But…

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Saw Me Gently

As I was climbing the stairs up to the subway platform I heard the train arriving. I doubled my climbing pace in an attempt not to miss the train. I heard the announcement “Stand clear of the closing doors”, and I thought “Oh, no – I’m not going to make it”. Then I heard the…

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You Gotta Still Be Nice

As I started to play on the subway platform, a sanitation lady wearing glasses said ‘hi’ to me while she emptied the garbage can on my right. As she pulled out the can from the receptacle a lot of garbage came tumbling down onto the floor. Usually, it stays contained in the bag. So, she…

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Judging a Book by its Cover

As I was getting out of the train at the Union Square subway station a lady said to me: “I’m a fan! I told all my friends about you. Even to my friends in Japan I say – ‘we have the ‘Saw Lady’!’” At 12:18 the guy who always wears a green coat & black…

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Occupational Hazards

The train rolled slowly into the subway station, on account of the track workers repairing the tracks. As the first car went by me the train driver smiled and nodded at me. Two track workers passed by me as I was waiting to get into the train. One of them asked me how I was…

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Peace in Your Heart

Two guys helped me bring my busking gear up all the stairs to the subway station. When I got to the turnstile, I found 3 pennies. So – it felt like a lucky day. As I was passing through the turnstile a lady said “SawLady!” and smiled hello at me. Two MTA construction workers were…

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