Happy and fulfilled from a quality day spent jamming with my UK beatbox brothers on the Southbank, exchanging beats and discussing the future and development of the community that grew us, I made my way home. It was that time of day on the tube; everybody feeling somewhat uncomfortable about the lack of space between themselves and the next - wishing it wasn't rude to offer some gum to the person next to them who'd clearly had sushi for lunch. 'T-E-N-S-I-O-N', spelt out the collective conscious of these many men and women neatly packaged in their stiff suits, faces tightened by self inflicted stress and resentment towards the very life they are living. Nobody says a word, yet the thick air is polluted by the busy chattering of brains seething with negativity. As the tube doors slide open and the faceless suits continue mindlessly on their meaningless journey, unspoken insults are shot silently through the air: "Get the FUCK out of MY way you fat BITCH". Greatly lacking in intellectual content or creativity, every disdainful thought and mutter fails to recognise or respect the journey of another individual, adding yet another gram to the weight on the insulter's heavy and jaded spirit.
As I turned out of the exit of Old Street tube station I heard the familiar words drift through the rush hour commotion: "Spare any change please miss?" I stuck my hand in my pocket and pulled out a coin and turned to hand it to the young Irish man sat on the cold hard floor. He was clutching his knees tightly to his chest in an effort to retain at least a little body heat as the sharp icy wind whipped and slashed at his pink cheeks. His eyes were darting from person to person as he peered up at the endless drones filing out from the station exit, avoiding eye contact at all costs. As his eyes met mine, this man who appeared to have nothing gave me more than the wealthiest banker could ever buy me in diamonds. His crystal clear eyes lit up like transparent windows into a soul as pure as an infant's. As the most genuine smile stretched across his face, he looked into my eyes and said "thank you". I don't know why, but at that moment we both laughed. I mean, we weren't roaring with laughter and I'm sure it wasn't even loud enough for passers by to notice - it was more of a giggle. But without reason, we shared a moment of meaningless joy. As I walked the rest of my way home, huge smile painted across my face, I thought "if only the scowling business woman next to me had spared a quid for that wonderful man sat on the floor amongst the cigarette butts and crisp packets. She may have smiled or laughed for the first time this week."
