(Over a year after meeting the memorable Donald Green, a New York City street subway poet (and personality), I remind him of our once-lived conversation – and a night I couldn’t forget. The night he imparted a few golden nuggets upon my weakened spirit and humbled me in seconds. He was astounded that I’d actually saved his work, and more importantly, had published it online.

Here’s a man who’s encountered tens of thousands of passers-by, but few who’d given him his much-deserved credit – besides the typical creatures of exploitation. So I’m fumbling with my cell phone when he accuses me of recording his conversation with one of his customers or listeners. Little does he realize I’m about to show him a year-old blog entry where I’d written about the night I’d met him – to remind him of his purpose and resonation with some who he’d forgettingly engaged.

I penciled the below (poem) back for Donald Green as a small gesture of my gratitude and hope he’ll have a chance to log onto a computer sometime very soon. Thanks Donald.)

Donald Green, NYC subway poet

Donald Green, we meet again.
One year later.
Only much the same.
But so much depth we’ve gained.
From the richest of encounters.
You ask if I’m taping your conversation.
And how surprised are you to understand
that I was only reaching in my pocket?
To search for a little phone
and hand you the World Wide Web.
You find it hard to believe –
that I had published one of your poems.
The one you’d written for me.
At a time in my life when much was not right,
you held me with a gentle glide of hand,
that pen flowing on the colored paper,
while the love spilled willingly from your mouth. ‘
May you write to save, may I save what’s right.
The word of life and treasure, the word of all your might.
This one’s for you Donald Green. Published for yet another cyber life.

-Justin D, July 20, 2010

Last year’s entry:
https://justindurazzo.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/my-humbling-education-from-a-struggling-subway-poet/