Two Artists in a Subway

I was in the subway one day,
it was the year 2007 in May.

I was going back on the train,
feeling limp and rather lame.

There was a young man in the station,
on the day of my vacation.

He played a cello, so soft and fast,
it was a nice sound away from squeaking brass.

He played a song so sad,
yet he looked very glad.

I smiled at him and tossed some coins,
many people did join.

He had much money in his case,
but something didn't seem right in his face.

A broken dream?
Is that what it seems?

Or maybe just to kill time,
or did he have something else on his mind?

I realized then, we were the same,
two artists hoping for fame.

I was a artists that used words,
he was an artist that gave joy to those who heard.

Would he one day be a famous composer?
Or living on the streets, trying to stay sober?

Will one day I be a best-selling writer?
Or will my budget be ever tighter?

The world of creativity is not kind to all,
there were many of us who had our fall.

But the lucky ones, though they are few,
make others see and start anew.

Good bye brother in a unkind world,
may you not be forgotten and easily whirled.

For many great artists were like you before,
then fame walked upon their door.