Monday morning, dad’s birthday 2023, 109 years.

Listening to Simon and Garfunkel sing, “America,” as I walk towards the el. Beautiful day outside, so I leave my hoodie at home.

The song ends and the Beatles, “She’s leaving home” comes on. The train comes and it’s not even half filled.

It’s a holiday, “Juneteenth.” A day celebrated as the day the slavery became outlawed.

A lady sits on the train, reading glasses, eyebrows raises and looking at her phone. She is wearing dark gray jeans, a light beige top with a neon pink spring jacket. She keeps touching the cross which sits upon her chest.

To the right of me is a tall black man, feet stretched out, he is bald with a gray beard. He seems like the definition of the cool guy. Who knows?

Bob Dylan’s, “Mr Tambourine Man,” comes on and tempts me to get off the train, head back towards home and stay on the train to the beach. To be a no show at work.

James Taylor is singing, “Carolina” and I think about Jessica. Would she meet me at the Coney Island Boardwalk?

Summer is coming around tomorrow afternoon, for some reason I get butterflies in my stomach.

“Guitar Man” comes on and Bread is talking about Dylan? I’m not sure, I don’t really care, I like the sound and the story. 4th avenue stop.

An elderly black lady walks on wearing a black hat, followed by a younger lady possibly her daughter. They are whispering and laughing.

Two Asian men are considering whether to get off at Smith and 9th. The younger of the two takes the other man’s hand and pulls him off the train.

Juneteenth. How could any human being enslave another? Thankfully I cannot relate to those mindsets. I see all colors and even those that are hidden beneath the skin. We are all created equally and our differences are what creates this beautiful tapestry which makes up the human race.

Jim Croce is singing about a hard loving Georgian girl. A pretty girl wearing a sundress, wet hair and a slight smile as her eyes are glued to her phone.

Another Monday, I thank You and I wonder, just wonder…