ON A VERY SAD SAD NOTE

I have read the news a many a times and have heard about suicides where people just jump into oncoming trains. I have always been afraid of getting to close to the tracks, as heck you could slip or fall in, or a speedy one can actually make a gust of wind to pull u in. But guess the other day reality struck a little too close.

We were waiting for the train on the platform just like any ordinary day. Train coming on the opposite track, heading at a high speed, looks like an express that is going to cruise through, honking its horn to signal people. Everyone backs off on the opposite platform. But there is a lone figure at the end, away from the crowd. Then i see that figure, a black jacket just slowly collapse into the tracks. The train i know is coming, i see the figure and know its too late, i turn my head to escape reality for that second. I wish it were all a dream, but i know its too real. I tell my friends not to look and usher them into a corner, away from the pain. There is no sound, but i know its over. Looking to my right i know the expressions on all the people's faces that its not all right. Gaping mouths, mouths covered by hands, eyes wide open. But there is no yelling or screaming, or loud commotion as in america. This is japan, shock is a bit different, not that its bad, just different, its their own way. I see the people, its as if its a silent movie. A whisper here and there comes out, i hear a lady saying its ok, but i know its not ok. I tell myself and my friends not to look as i know it would be painful. But i look anyway, i am curious, its my nature. First i glance at the point where i last saw the person, expecting something more, i was only left with the sight of bright pink, purple bag, smack in the middle of the tracks. Thinking where else to look, i quickly glanced down the track. Maybe a couple hundred yards down. There were JR workers jumping into the tracks, as they jumped, my eyes jumped on them and followed their path towards the victim. It was a shadowy figure laying there on the tracks. Still as a stone, but i knew it didnt belong there. Just past that point a couple more yards down the train was parked, just past the body. JR workers hurried like police or paramedics but i knew they could do nothing, and also knew nothing. As if they had done it before, they swopped down with giant green bags, to cover or carry away things i dont know, nor really did care. It was over and thats all i remember, the memory still fresh and may never go away. But it made me think about my friends in the past who passed away. And how life is strange but it goes on. Makes you appreciate life a bit more, how delicate it is, how time is precious, how family and friends is precious. As time ticks, or how the sand dwindles, you must learn to appreciate your short time on this earth. Later on we made it to the temple, i made a short prayer for that person. Hoping that they went to a better place. A place where they can be at peace, maybe where my friends are at. peace ...