A Brief Introduction to Subway Pomes

             pome n [<E, fr. MF pome, pomme apple, pome, ball, 

             fr. LL pomum apple, fr. L, fruit] :  a fleshy fruit consisting of an outer thickened layer and

             a central core with usu. five seeds enclosed in a capsule

17 May 2011

No location in the world is as stirring as the subway – specifically the New York City subway:  it is a social anomaly.

The unpredictable mix of people is so dense with sex and fear and secrets and money and no money and all on a weird underground journey there is always this sense that something spontaneous will bubble up and explode.

The subway pomes started in 1991 when I began commuting regularly and I found myself immediately captivated, terrified and intrigued. 

I still see some of the characters in these pieces from time to time.

How could you NOT write about what goes on down there?

Subway Pomes Start Here (Starting with the first one we ran #55, and continuing with #54, which posts for the first time today. A new Subway Pome will run each Wednesday, counting down—editor note)