Railroad tracks conjure many images. What does it bring to mind for you? Freight cars laden for colder climes? Tanker cars? Vagabonds and tramps? The caboose?
Are you thinking about being late to work waiting for the train to pass? Did you remember the chemical spill after the derailing? Or was it the passenger train wreck?
Mantra is seeing something altogether different. She remembers a morning On The Rails. Perhaps, you read the story. She has the part not printed in the newspaper.
On The Rails
Somewhere near the end
The screech of the wheels
On the tracks made gravel
Dance between the cold rails.
The engineer tried hard
The impact not to feel,
But the newspaper claimed
Unavoidable – Brakes Fail
When the train came to rest,
It was a long run here.
No idea what he’d find,
But hoping for naught at all.
The words he spoke in pants
Were surprising to hear.
Not thought, but words he said.
He stopped, tried not to fall
To his knees on the ties.
With tears he whispered, “No.”
Chanting hushed denial
Of a life spread on ground.
“How could you stand and smile?
This is no way to go.
I would have helped you out.
A way could have been found.”
Today, cross arms are down.
The bell clangs its warning.
No more death on the rails
In the blustery morning.
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Why do we need institutional barriers to stop us from doing things which could kill us? Why would anyone choose this method?
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Derek Mansker
/ June 24, 2013It would appear like we don’t actually need these barriers. What we need instead is vision and common sense. The barriers become irrelevant when people ignore them. At the same time, I might have no idea what you are asking. That is possible. 🙂
Derek Mansker recently posted..Jesus or Nothing
Red
/ June 24, 2013I truly do not think we do need them. I think we have become too reliant on the nanny-state principle and cede our common sense to non-essential ideals, fads and popular culture. Far too many ignore them as signals only designed and intended for the ignorant. In fact, those ignoring are the ones who are in the most need. Glad to see you today, Derek.
frigginloon
/ June 24, 2013Born in a country town with one railway crossing I can still remember the crunching sound of the gravel as we’d cross the line.
frigginloon recently posted..Should Have Sold The Bones Separately
Red
/ June 25, 2013I love the sound of limestone. Great to see you today, Loon. xxx
Binky
/ June 24, 2013I’ve always liked trains. I should set up my model train again one day.
Binky recently posted..Fair Play Fraz
Gray Dawster
/ June 25, 2013Yes you should Binky and take some photographs of the whole set up, I would be very interested in those if you did my great friend 🙂
Andro
Red
/ June 25, 2013Me, too.
Binky
/ June 25, 2013I would like to do that. I promise to take pictures if I do!
Binky recently posted..Fair Play Fraz
Red
/ June 25, 2013When I really retire, I want a model train to run through the house.
Binky
/ June 25, 2013So do I!
Binky recently posted..Fair Play Fraz
MJ Logan
/ June 24, 2013“Metra killed someone this morning.”
Words from a co-worker, spoken angrily. It turned out the woman ran around the engine and into the path of an oncoming train.
There’s a reason you’re not supposed to run around the train to cross, but some people are just too much in a hurry.
The next day my co-worker maintained it was Metra’s fault.
I had my own adventures with a train and also knew a kid who lost his legs at the knees when he tried to crawl under a train that blocked a crossing for more than half an hour while switching cars. The incident was impetus for a law that prohibited trains from blocking a crossing for more than 10 minutes while switching cars around.
MJ Logan recently posted..Of Dogs, Boats, and Muskies
Red
/ June 25, 2013I am always floored by those who assume the dead person is never to blame. Ugh. Like the train sought her out. So, does that make it a good law? I consider blocked tracks a side effect of needing more roads to get us closer and stack more things closer together. I also see making engineers hurry the switch as potentially far more dangerous.
Gray Dawster
/ June 25, 2013What a sad end, I guess when someone is at rock bottom in their life that a quick ending is all that they can think about, but it is a real shame that they feel that way, it must be horrible to be in a lonely place with the only feelings being that nobody can help them 🙁
A very good poem Red 🙂
Have a lovely start to your Tuesday 🙂
Andro xxxx
Red
/ June 25, 2013I have asked thousands of questions to people who feel that way. Inevitably, I find they only feel that way because either they really do not know there is a better way or they are too tired of trying (insanity) the way which does not work. Frankly, I am unsure which is sadder. Thank you for reading this one and giving your thoughts, my friend.
Gail Thornton
/ June 25, 2013I think in the isolation of their life they do not want to be alone in the end. It also seems like an expression of pent up rage, “If I’m going to go, I won’t go alone.” I don’t think these suicides recognize their motivation, though, and I really can’t explain their method of choice without knowing them better. Just a few guesses.
Gail Thornton recently posted..Interview with Poet Laurie Childree
Red
/ June 25, 2013I doubt the train method would take many with it unless it was a passenger train where the engineer attempted to stop and derailed. Most of them occur in freight lines because the intended knows there is no way to stop the train before impact. I am not so certain I can honestly admit I understand, although I can see the perspective. Then again, I believe anything is possible. xxx
Valentine Logar
/ June 25, 2013This leaves me cold and shivering, sad. Should we ask why or is a better question, why didn’t you come to me?
It isn’t ever the physical barriers that stop us from seeking endings is it?
Valentine Logar recently posted..High Crimes & Misdemeanors, II
Red
/ June 25, 2013I agree the question truly is “Why didn’t you come to me?” It brings up enough questions for me for a series. I do not think the physical barriers we put up to protect will ever stop them. The emotional drive is more powerful. xxx
jen
/ June 25, 2013trains are to travel on steam trains to be admired train lines avoid at all cost a short cut home or a long journey into the unknown hi red thankyou for friendship and visits xjen
Red
/ June 25, 2013I adore steam engines. It has been a long time since I rode the rail, but it is my favorite form of travel. I am very glad to see you today, my sweet friend. xxx
Prenin
/ June 25, 2013We recently had two star crossed lovers, just kids, who deliberately stepped into the path of a train.
I have to admit I considered it myself at one point eighteen years ago, but took the overdose route instead.
As you can see I’m still here…
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
Prenin recently posted..Monday – I sort out my paperwork.
Red
/ June 25, 2013That scenario just makes me wonder what they believed they would share. Hmm.
Tess Kann
/ June 25, 2013I love trains. We have had lots of deaths by train around here. I don’t understand why anyone needs to walk on the tracks, and don’t they feel the rumble of the train? Indeed, I assume these are not accidents.
I knew someone who jumped in front of a subway some years ago. Hard to fathom.
Tess Kann recently posted..Hot Flash – Chocolate
Red
/ June 25, 2013For all my pain tolerance, I can think of many less painful ways. There really is no way to miss the rumble. I lived near train stations or tracks for many years. The only time I missed them was when they were late. We should be grateful we cannot get there from here, Tess. xxx