The Platform

So we meet again. You staring with your steady glow almost daring me… mocking me because of my absence. Well I’m still here staring right back at you with my fingers on the triggers waiting for my crosshairs to steady. Deep breath…. My rounds land in the margin. I couldn’t miss if I tried. I stand on the platform between two trains traveling in opposite directions. They’re blowing past me so fast my hoody is confused which way to blow. And every few seconds I see into one of the cars of the speeding trains and I see faces of those I know and have known, things move in slow motion like an ESPN highlight reel. The faces don’t actually see me, like they’re looking at something behind me, but I see their face and I nod. Then the train returns back to normal speed. The longer I stand between the two trains I get dizzy and nauseous and have to steady myself but when I reach out there is nothing there but air.

I regain my balance, look up at the electronic sign that provides everyone with their desired destination. I look for my destination but I know it’s not there. These trains don’t serve those who reside in the margin. It is not done purposefully; the trains simply move too fast to make a stop in the margin.

After this realization I take a seat on a bench and think about my next move. As the trains race by and everything starts to come to a head I let out a cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I gather myself, tuck my hood over my eyes and walk along the platform between the trains.