‘The Singing Man’ by Fielding Dawson

This is possibly my favourite short story ever, perfect narrative control beside (and necessary to contain) an almost voluptuous love of the sheer exuberant presence of a delivery man in the street the narrator comes to enjoy the existence of, as he pushes a hand truck through the crowds, occasionally lifting his voice in a song. Not that he can sing well—he forgets the words, can’t hit the high notes, and embarrasses the passers-by—but an absolute social grace is what Dawson’s writing creates in this unembarrassed, inclusive, brilliant vision of city life.

From The Man Who Changed Overnight and other stories & dreams 1970-1974, Santa Barbara: Black Sparrow Press, 1976