Instrument of Harmony Eases Loneliness

Ronald Pimm, 71, clasps his harmonica firmly with both hands, while keeping an eye to the passer-by at Grand Central terminal.

There is a sense of harmony in this man's face that has deep-set laugh lines and crow's feet around his eyes. Each time he inhales, his cheeks cave in and each time he exhales, his thin delicate skin fills the hollow.

Pimm recalls the days when he used to play the harmonica with his father at church. That was 15 years ago.

"I come here because I do know several people who come and talk to me," he explains as he takes a break. He also makes it clear that his other purpose is to make a few dollars a day. On a good day, Pimm makes
about $50.

Before coming to the Grand Central terminal, he made nuts and bolts for boats until he retired several years ago.

Pimm does not like sitting idle in his apartment. He comes to Grand Central station to play his harmonica, even though he points out that his "eyes are bad, but his vision is good enough to get around."

He commutes from the South Bronx to Grand Central station to play his instrument four times a week for six hours a day. "Church music, that is all I know," Pimm says, his gaze following a few people walking by.