Sur le Quai

And change.

The crowded platform becomes briefly more crowded, and then suddenly devoid of people as one crowd pushes for the exits and the other flickers away, lighted faces in a dark tunnel. Then, for a moment, the whole world holds its breath... until the first returning footsteps echo along the hall and life slowly returns to the platform, the pulse slowly quickening as more and more gather to wait.

And change.

A light sweeps through a darkened tunnel, preceded by a blast of hot air, then the train itself, driver hunched over his controls while behind, flickering too quickly to be seen in detail, then slowing, then finally stopping for a moment, a hundred passengers wholly absorbed in their own lives. Then the doors open.

And change.

A heartbeat for the clamour to appear, then disappear. And the world’s quiet again, tail lights receding into the darkness. Noises in the distance. Movement. Lights.

And change.


(scribbled in my notebook, Paris, 2nd June)