On the subway today I practised describing people around me, just simple observations and soon realized I wish I could make it homework for the kids in the songwriting classes. Highly unlikely they would do it unless I was sitting next to them guilt tripping them to complete the assignment. He was an elderly skinny man with a untrimmed white beard. He was so slender he didn’t take up his own public space allotment which is highly unusual. Ordinarily people take up a seat and then some. His winter toque rolled up over his forehead like younger bike couriers. Looked much like Tolstoy’s cousin. She held the balance pole in one hand and a hot drink in the other. A black ink tattoo of a flying bird on the back of her middle finger. The poofy black winter coat made her look like a marshmallow advertisement. The glasses were larger than most. Square rims which made for both a cute and studious look. Could have also been reasons of fashion irony.