The other day
Life keeps moving on
revmallam
Even from a distance, anyone could easily notice her beauty, or should I say, what's left of it. Chances are, in her younger days, she was most definitely a showstopper, so calling her a stunner wouldn't be an exaggeration. But, looking closely, one would easily notice, that the vagaries of life, hard times, and poverty has taken a toll on what was once a sight to behold.
Though she looked somewhat well kept, albeit, disheveled, in a politically incorrect world; a distant observer would assume; insanity was at an early stage of manifestation. Leaning on the shoulders of a younger woman, she walked gingerly with a cane and was slowly eased on to a seat, two rows from where I was sitting.
Anyone would have to be inhuman, not to notice that all is not well with her, but what could be wrong? What in the world could be going on, I, and I assume, other riders wondered, as our attention and gaze focused on both women. As thoughts raced through my mind, I looked around and observed the worried looks and empathy on everyone's faces.
Overtaken by emotions and the urge to ask questions, I locked eyes with the younger woman. It was then, that I suddenly noticed, they were both crying. I noticed the tear drops and streaks of tears on both faces.
Lost in thoughts, I did not realize the train had zoomed past my own stop. As we pulled into the next station; the younger woman, without saying a word, stared at me; then started to get off the train, leaving the frail older woman seated where she had helped her sit; I too was getting off the train to catch another train back to my already past destination. As we both stepped out of the train, on to the platform, I noticed she was still shading tears as she exited the train.
As I raised my wrist to glance at my wristwatch, a tear drop fell on the shiny glasses of my watch. Suddenly, I realized, I too was shading tears; buy why? The more I thought about it, the more I wondered why. Could the tears be for humanity in me or the affirmation that, "Hard times does not favor beauty"?
As I waited for the train to take me back to my missed station, I brought out my Sony Walkman and listened to Rob Thomas, singing, “ This Life, keeps moving on….”; Yes, it truly does.
