Richard Radtke

Reflections of the Rails



Posted: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

by Richard Radtke
http://www.cottagebythelane.com

Two silver rails, set straight and clean, reaching into the distance, the sun shimmering on their polished surface as it slowly makes its journey below the horizon. The ever-deepening darkness creeping onward, and the wind silently rustling the boughs of the trees around us. In the distance a dog howls and lights flicker on the horizon. My brother and I share this moment of beauty together, no words between us as the dark night creeps over us. We stand silently, each in our own far-off place, but yet only inches between us as we stare trying to see that distant point, that seems just out of sight, where the two rails meet, but we both know even as we stare they dont and they never will, rather side by side they run along forever, each one knowing the other, each one depending on the other to give it the support to carry out their combined purpose. They both run on straight and true, shining in the last dying rays of sunlight.

After a time, my brother speaks, " There sits a truth, you know, you have to keep on the track, go straight and go on, dont stop. There will be times you will want to take the detour or rest at the siding, but life isnt like that, you have to stay on the main line to get anywhere. " I nod my head in reflective fourteen year old agreement at the wisdom contained within his statement, and we both turn and slowly make our way into the house, leaving the two moonlight rails behind us.

As the years have gone by, I find when I am faced with a problem, that night outside with my brother and the rails comes back into my mind, am I taking a detour?, am I sitting on the siding?, or am I still on the main line? Somewhat like a point of comparison, and over the years I suppose I have taken quite a few of the detours, and I know I have sat on the siding, but so far I have always managed to find my way back to the main-line. I even wonder time to time if the rails are still there?, are they still straight and true?, do they still shine with a glistening gleam in the moonlight?, not that it matters, because they will always be in my memory, but more important still, is that my brother is still here and I know that when I need him he will be there, the support that one can rely on, through the place we call life.

Richard R. Radtke lives in Northwest Iowa. Over the years he has been a marine, an editor of a Daily newspaper, a contractor, a purchasing agent. He has worked in Emergency Medical Services for a number of years as an EMT-B and will soon be a paramedic. He has two grown sons, one of whom is married and they have a 6 month old daughter. Richard has a lovely wife. Together he and his wife own and publish four hometown newspapers, that are published weekly. The company is now expanding its job printing business into full color print on demand services for books and booklets.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 2 years 8 days ago.
153 fans.
A moving tribute to a loved sibling, Richard. Poetic, as always.
» left by Richard Radtke 2 years 7 days ago.
19 fans. Follow Richard Radtke on twitter!
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