Life is an Hourglass

Even from a distance, anyone could easily notice her beauty. 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 "specimen".

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 slowly sat down two rows from where I was sitting.

What in the world could be going on, I, and I assume, other riders wondered?

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 those of 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 got off the train and left the frail old woman seated where she had helped her sit!

As we both stepped out of the train, I noticed she was still shading tears as she exited the train.

As I lifted 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