About

Thursday, April 7, 2016

A New York Moment

THIS PIECE WAS PUBLISHED ON-LINE IN THE METROPOLITAN DIARY SECTION OF THE NY TIMES ON APRIL 7, 2016 AND WILL APPEAR IN THE PRINT VERSION ON APRIL 11, 2016

Dear Diary:

From almost a block away, we could see the people scatter, heading rapidly to the edges of the sidewalk.

It was like Moses parting the seas, only this scene was caused by a disturbed person, half screaming and carrying some kind of large object in one hand.

As the woman neared a street vendor who was hawking some neatly assembled stones, a large crashing noise was heard and what had once been an orderly display was now scattered in every direction.

“It was a rubber hammer!” one of the witnesses exclaimed. As those nearby helped gather and reassemble the stones and calm the nerves of the peddler, there was a sadness for both perpetrator and victim. It is a scene, in variation that plays out far too often, as the city struggles to find elusive answers.

New York tells many tales, some of a much harsher reality than others.

No comments: