In Paddington station
the shuffling
of an old man slinking by,
the muttering
of a couple in conflict
and the gargle
of a clutter of teenagers
dull my ears
An apartheid
of masks severed from
caged egos,
all partitioned off from me

In Paddington station
the light steps
of a spirited elder,
the sad sighs
of partners opening up
and the chirping
of youthful exuberance
are music to my ears
A society
of faces expressing
human selves,
all connected to me