This Thing Called Life (from my morning commute)

[letterblade]

Most mornings, for a while now, I go to Salem station. Car or foot, depending upon how my legs are doing. I usually get there early enough to see the 7:29 express come in, but I don't get on; it's usually standing room only. I wait for the 7:34 local, where I always get a seat, and usually with nobody immediately beside me.

Suits my usual habit of writing porn on the train, no?

So I see two trains pull in, as I'm standing on the platform, level with the tracks. One pull out.

This morning, I didn't have to close my eyes as they went by.

This morning, I could watch them like I used to, back when I was commuting by train years ago. Watch the pistons going, feel the roar of the wind, watch the engine chugging by. With that sort of childlike glee. Look, daddy, it's a train!

This morning, I could see the wheels on the tracks without wanting to duck under them.

Between trains, I turned and looked around. It's a cool, crisp morning, breezy, more like Maine than Massachusetts. The inlet nearby was at low tide, and I could catch the smell of saltwater and mudflats, and wonder if there would be clams bubbling the damp sand if I went over. There was a crane working. The big flag on the low flagpole. A playground, right there by the inlet, that I'd never noticed before, with a yellow curly slide. Red and blue caps on the jungle gym.

The 7:34 came in, and the little handful of leftover commuters clambered on.

And we just passed some of the reedy swamp off the tracks in Salem, and there were two swans in the inlet. And then the little white egrets in the salt marsh near Point of Pines.

I think I'm getting a little better.

Or maybe this is just a good morning. I go up and down, some. Monday night was bad, almost like I wasn't on the meds. This morning is good. Etcetera. But.

I could watch the trains.

Comments

[delerone.livejournal.com]

I'm cheering for you.

[nevacaruso.livejournal.com]

Also cheering for you. :)

[callunav.livejournal.com]

I am so, so glad. That is great. Just a good morning is great - it doesn't have to be more to earn enthusiasm, though another good morning will be just as great or greater.

Take care, you.

[triedandwired.livejournal.com]

**cheers for you**

You are doing great hon, you can do this and you are!

[mattador.livejournal.com]

Made me smile to read this.