Van Gogh Quote Scores Big

Deke's Note: The first day of Week Two: Inspirational Quotes started with a bang, ended with a thud. Still, my passengers have recently seen a part of me I should have been sharing this whole time.

When I relieve the AM driver of my run there are usually only a handful of people onboard. It's early afternoon, just before the rush picks up. As I began to drive my Monday shift, I glanced into the mirror to see the usual crowd, folks who ride every day and a few others. One was a man about a decade or more older than me. He uses a walker to get around, and I have enjoyed serving him on  occasion.

Last week, I waited until the outbound trip to read my quotes. This week however, I felt that maybe these passengers were being cheated. People have enjoyed this new feature, even though the initial reaction is silence. That's one reason I began doing this... the bus is soooo eerily quiet these days.

Today, I just shrugged and read the quote after a short preamble in which I implored my pax to not listen when others try to discourage them.

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." 

-- Vincent Van Gogh

Usually, I'll hear a "thank you" or two, but not this time. I thought it had bombed or perhaps not been heard. People have become even more "plugged in and tuned out". Still, many prefer not to enter into conversations from their seats. If they're going to engage me they will start to go out the back door, stop as if something is bugging them, then saunter up to the front door.

Today's lone commenter wheeled his walker up to me and stopped. I was early, the light was freshly-red, and he was poised with a faint smile. His words floored me.

"You know," he began, "upon hearing that Van Gogh quote, I was immediately reminded of the poem, Flanders Field." Given my route's final stop is actually on Flanders Street, I thought maybe a joke was at hand. This however, was not to be his motive of delivery.

Looking skyward and to his left, he began to recite the poem from memory. Sadly to say, even though I should have, I am embarrassed I have not heard it before today.

"In Flanders Fields

the poppies blow

Between the crosses,

row on row

That mark our place

and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the dead, short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow

Loved, and were loved

and now we lie

In Flanders fields

In Flanders fields

And now we lie

In Flanders fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, 

Though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

In Flanders fields"

He thanked me twice as he exited. I was loathe to allow his leave without finding the right words to show my appreciation. "No, thank you!" was all I could muster. "That was incredible!" Before my brain could further spark its speech center, he was gone.

This magical interaction evoked my inner smile the rest of the day. No matter there weren't many responses the rest of my shift, even though I recited the quote several times more. That gentleman's eloquence, his smile and his delivery were a gift magically engraved into my soul.

Yeah Tommy Transit, I think you're onto something here. Thought for the Day, Quote of the Day, whatever. Find something inspirational and LIFT up your passengers. Their days are often filled with very tough moments, so why should their last contact with humanity be a negative one via a grumpy bus driver?

Thanks to one wonderful man reciting a memorable poem written in 1915 by Canadian WWI soldier, Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. John McCrae, a poem that is celebrated by veterans worldwide, my day was golden.