Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Valerian Train Part I

The feverish tones of the root of Valerian traveled via ancient channels through my body before bed. The tea was hot, and the scent of sour Earth encased me. I fell suddenly and deeply to sleep where I awoke in a future world where humans were prevalent but humanity was hard to find. I was on a train, headed en route to nowhere, circling and circling again, the remnants of a shameless city. I asked for the conductor, and no one knew his name.
I asked for a list of destinations, and no one could tell me of any. I began to assume no one cared, and they were pleased with their pointless and endless trip within the filthy train cars. I suddenly felt empowered by their lack of will to ask such obvious questions about their existence. I told everyone that I was getting off soon, at the next stop. The reaction was that I would be on my own, and that I'd have to risk getting off at my own peril, as the train never stops. I walked to the nearest doors, and pondered my lunge out into the real world. I sensed the Valerian in my blood, and asked for guidance. She reminded me of the powers of the mind, and how I could create my own world. I pushed open the train doors that led outside, and watched as the blurred city rang past me. The sight was dizzying and I began losing my balance, when I suddenly saw a platform, moving at the same pace as the train, but slightly slower. I dove onto it and rejoiced at having escaped the train. I looked back and saw tiny black heads of the people within, barely bobbing. They were lost. I felt strength in having the freedom they never even long for.
Another platform approached me to the left, and I jumped toward it and landed safely, still moving quite fast, I wondered how many platforms I'd have to jump to ever reach stand-still. Another one approached, and another, and another until they all lined up for me. I decided to lie down and roll across them all, to the final hard and still sidewalk. After what seemed like hours of spinning blindly, I was still. I could hear my breathing, and I could hear the birds. The sky was filled with them and as they swept the air with their wings, my dizzy head became calm. After their chirping ceased I eyed the horizon, seeking out some signs of activity in this dying city. I noticed a faint sound coming from far away and I decided to walk toward the tallest building I could find. I noticed from afar, a few lights flickering within, and figured it would take me at least thirty minutes to get there. Then, at that moment, a shadow greeted me. It was a large vehicle with a short and small driver. I knew that I was to take over and replace him. He got out of the car and left the door open for me. He started off toward the train depot, where I noticed a crowd gathering.
The car was well built, the ride was smooth, and the streets were empty and wide. I could drive at any speed and there were no police on duty in sight. I finally grew keen to the all powerful tires and took jumps off of hills and ramps, all while steadily gaining speed. I wasted a few hours around the city like this, embracing the adrenaline like an new best friend. I looked out of the rear view mirror and saw the tall building. I had passed it miles ago. I turned around in the middle of the street, riding onto the curb and closely skimming the concrete wall in front of me. I was headed toward life, all of it that was left in this broken down city. I would meet the individuals that were left behind here, or those that chose to stay. Only I wouldn't realize just yet, how they all prayed they could be on that endless, circling train. The one that I so longed to get off of.

To be continued...

6 comments:

Koya Moon said...

shouldn't you at least ask me to dinner first???

J Power said...

First I want to tell you this was extremely well-written and very fluid. The accompanying photograph is nice too. Hazy, dreamy. It reminds me of the old buildings on Union St. I read your entry twice and thought on it for a good while. It brings to mind several notions I often wrestle with in my mind: The Buddhist concept of samsara, the round of rebirth. Of suffering and liberation. It also brings to mind the thought that everyone is right where they want to be, for better or worse. You are certainly a writer. I just have one question: Can you see the matrix?

Koya Moon said...

Thank you J Power! It was based on a dream I had the night before writing it. I like your interpretation of it, I wasn't exactly sure what it all meant. I also think I can feel the matrix happening in dreams pretty often. I think my subconscious mind is able to embrace those concepts first, and then I begin witnessing the same phenomenon within my waking life later on...pretty disconcerting way to discover the evils of the world...but my dream life has always given me a sense that I'm not alone in any struggle I'm facing. There's so much I want to say on this topic, but I don't know where to begin! Or stop! :0)

Koya Moon said...

by the way, I grew up on Union Street. ooo....eeerie

there's definitely a surplus of broken down buildings up there, so full of metal and fire energy, that you wonder if earth and sky ever lived in those spots...

J Power said...

Katie, you had told me about Union St. before. I thought perhaps the photograph was a deliberate representation of those buildings. I cannot wait for Part Two.

Anonymous said...

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