New York Observation

I was sat on a Central Park bench next to a man who was down on his luck. He asked a passer by for a cigarette whilst opening a sandwich box and placing a soft drink beside him.

He was refused the cigarette and exclaimed disappointment and frustration.

A crowd had gathered around the ‘Imagine’ mosaic singing the song and a guy strummed a guitar in time to the melodic singing.

I gave $20 to the man sat next to me and suggested he buy himself some cigarettes. He thanked me for my generosity.

I’ve never told this story in the 5 years that have since elapsed. I think about the absurdity of it at times. I wondered what John would’ve made of it. A guy eating hand to mouth surviving from one day to the next whilst people paid homage to a song with sentiments so righteous they could only practice hypocrisy because they were so wrapped up in their own experience.

“Imagine all the people sharing all the world.” Just imagine …