The Rainbow Plumed Saxophonist

This truly uniquely attired gentleman boarded the 6 train that I was on at a random stop in the Bronx. Wearing rainbow colored Indian feathers with multi-colored cornrows to match was this old gentleman with a dull looking saxophone.

Fiddle fiddle fiddle with his instrument did the musician do for most of the ride. Suddenly off went the mouthpiece with a thud. Tick tick tick went the keys of the brass instrument as the man checked each one in succession, then silence. And off he faded into the distance of my reading and music. Sometime later came the boom!

Stealthily placing the instrument to his lips did the musician let rip with musical notes which sounded like a goose's neck was being wrung within his hands. With the smile of a satisfied kid, the man proceeded to play the same notes. I guess the instrument was being played to satisfaction, well only his. The other passengers all looked at each other with bewilderment and astonishment, with some even covering their ears to blot out the sounds.

As the train pulled into Union Square, the man took his bag, plumage and instrument in his hands and exited the train leaving silence once again on the car. Ah, New York. Truly unique.