
- Playing
- The Q-train
- From
- Judah Bruce Leblang
The "Q train" is a whimsical piece, when the author notices a young man on a subway train, and is drawn to him. The man becomes a blank canvas, on which the narrator projects his dream and fantasies. The piece is bit humorous, a bit wistful--can't we all relate to this 'what if?' scenario?
More from Judah Bruce Leblang
The Stress Test: Or another piece of my heart now, baby
(04:58)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A reflective piece about a middle aged man's visit to the cardiologist for his annual stress test.
My Training Bra
(05:01)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A short humorous piece about fighting middle age in Provincetown, MA during Carnival week.
Becoming Interesting
(05:21)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A first person essay about dealing with illness and middle-age
Necessary Losses
(05:36)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A short first person essay about losing my hearing
Remembering My Father
(03:16)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A son's rememberance of and tribute to his dad
For a Deaf Uncle
(01:46)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A tribute to my uncle and reflections on losing my own hearing
Everything is Relative
(02:46)
From: Judah Bruce Leblang
A humorous personal essay about growing older
Piece Description
The "Q train" is a whimsical piece, when the author notices a young man on a subway train, and is drawn to him. The man becomes a blank canvas, on which the narrator projects his dream and fantasies. The piece is bit humorous, a bit wistful--can't we all relate to this 'what if?' scenario?
Broadcast History
None
Transcript
The Q train
Brooklyn, New York
July 2004
By Judah Leblang/2004
Word count: 325
He sits in a middle seat on the subway train, sandwiched between two other passengers, a young blond man and an older person who barely registers on my consciousness. I’m standing and swaying, holding on to a silver bar on silver car, the Q-train heading toward Manhattan, off to see a play called “I Am My Own Wife,” about the life of a German transvestite.
I am also my own wife—or husband—without a partner or romance on the horizon. I’m trying not to think about that when I notice this young man who sits across from where I stand, his eyes at half mast, his face and body arresting me.
I’m aware of his physique—young, sculpted, vibrant, straining the olive drab of his T-shirt. And yet his face is what draws me in and won’t let go. Under his buzz cut, his dark brown eyes speak of tiredness be...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
No special cues
Musical Works
No music--but sound of train leaving station is included.....
