busker

stravinsky on a banjo

in the subway.

mancini. metallica.

no one pays attention.

the dudes in jeans

or power ties and suits

toss quarters

with a smirk.

teasing chopin with

a joplin rag to no effect

louie louie mashed

with louie armstrong,

the earbud heads trudge

towards the escalators

wrapped up in their

personal cocoons.

except for she, who

hangs back against

the white tiled

station walls

feeling every strum

and string that's plucked.