The Dozing Commuter

Sketch with ballpoint pen, 1987. © O. Douglas Jennings. All rights reserved.

 

As the train gently swayed, I had seated myself on the upper deck, peering out at the passing landscape through the large windows. The soft hum of conversation and the rhythmic sound of the train's wheels against the tracks filled the air. Nestled in my seat, sketchbook in hand, I observed the diverse crowd around me, seeking inspiration for my next “masterpiece of observation” to collect in my book of sketches.

My eyes fell upon a fellow passenger seated next to me, dozing peacefully. His attire was a striking contrast—a formal shirt and tie combined with dress pants (albeit with loosened suspenders), all while sporting a pair of Reebok sneakers. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the unexpected combination.

With my ballpoint pen (a favorite medium I enjoy for drawing) at the ready, I began to sketch him, capturing the details of his slumbering form—the curve of his stubbled jawline, the way his shirt collar slightly bunched up, and the casual drape of his tie. The Reebok sneakers, standing out against his formal wear, added a touch of whimsy to the composition.

As the pen's ink flowed across the pages, I felt a sense of excitement. It was these moments of quiet observation that fueled my passion for art—the ability to freeze fleeting moments in time with just a few strokes of my pen. The train's gentle movement seemed to sway along with my sketching hand, as if in harmony with my creative process.

With each passing minute, the man's depiction on the page took shape, capturing the essence of the sleeping passenger's demeanor. His relaxed expression and seemingly contrasting attire told a story—a narrative that I aimed to preserve in my art. Was he an intern? A day trader? Bank clerk? I wouldn't dare wake him to ask but I could only imagine.

As the train journeyed on, I lost track of time, engrossed in the act of creation. The world around me seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the subject of my sketch and me in our private artistic bubble.

Eventually, the train began to slow, signaling the approach of my destination. I glanced once more at the sleeping passenger, grateful for the chance encounter that had inspired me. As I carefully closed my sketchbook, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that I had captured a unique moment on paper—one that would forever live on through my art.