moon tzu

I boarded the central line from Stratford station. The doors opened and an elderly gentleman got off the other side of the platform as I got on. I sat opposite two old men who were youthfully smiling and waving at him. They both had a Northern accent, and wore dark coloured fleeces. I sat indirectly opposite them, so I didn’t block the window. They seemed to be having a silent moment with an old friend and I didn’t want to block their view. Through the grinding mechanical uproar of the train’s departure, their conversation was muffled and fell in sparse patches through the shaky carriage. I heard them say “We used to hold meetings in Dagenham football club. Yeah, you get off at Dagenham East.”
They discussed nostalgia with sad eyes, and the half smile induced by sweet memories of an era which can never return. They seemed like they were so eager to discuss memories because they soon will have nothing left. At Mile End station the old man closest to me got off and shook his friends hand, pressing his pale palm on his chest where his heart would be, his sad eyes creased up at the edges. “Goodbye, Roger” he said, and reluctantly alighted the train.
I sat with Roger, one more stop to Bethnal Green, where I got off feeling like I had had a life affirming experience. I walked the wrong way on the platform down a dead end corridor, so I could see him while the train drove off. I think Roger rode that train alone, to the end of the line. It’s a slow train coming, but we all have a train to catch.

February 11, 2013 10 notes

lostpuppycam:

Paige Gresty’s ebook, Every September Since 2005, comes out tomorrow on UP.

Something else to seriously look forward to is her accompanying audio book. I’m in love with her voice <3

beautiful quote wow

(Source: carolyndecarlo, via belishabeacons)

January 17, 2013 6 notes

December 11, 2012 3 notes

katy willowy: untitled

katy-willowy:

i smile remembering times when we were young enough to feel old and wise
sneaking behind corners sharing cigarettes and pretending that we know what we are doing
sitting in abandoned houses, trying to find flaws in science and questioning the meaning of life
wearing high-heels for the first…