Voters on the A Train

There are voters on the early morning runs of trains and buses in New York City. The color of the train route doesn’t matter: blue, red, yellow etc. Half-sleepy workers tightly packed in public transport is normal in all 50 U.S. states. You work for somebody if you catch the 5 a.m. train or bus.

All passengers have cellphones but they are not looking at them because they don’t want to miss their stop. If they do, they might lose their jobs or the boss will deduct $10 for every late minute. It’s not like buses that feed major universities in Canada. All the kids are glued to their phones.

Voters on the bus or train know that America has a presidential election in November, but it’s not what they think about every morning. What is dominant in their mind is what they left behind on that warm bed: wives, husbands and kids that crept into the parents’ bed because they are scared of thunder. There was no thunder last night, but parents understand. Voters on the bus or train are mad at themselves because every day, they vow not to think about why they go to work at that hour. But they do. People close to them discourage that thought:

“Lulu’s daddy, please don’t say that. Be grateful you have a job.”

Lulu’s daddy doesn’t like elections because of Lulu’s mom, who insists voting makes a difference. So, they voted in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Lulu’s daddy is not sure. If voting matters, why is he still taking the 5 a.m. train after all these elections?

It’s because of his late father’s advice. ‘Vote for the good guy, my boy.’

Nonqaba waka Msimang

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