"Red: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California" (c) 2011 Stu Jenks
I've walked the Golden Gate twice now. Yes, the view of The City stuns, and the wind stings my face in a very nice way, but what's hit me each time, like a phantom hopelessness, is the thought of all the people who have jumped from this bridge to their deaths. It would be so easy, so romantic, so final, eh?
I'm not suicidial now but I was a gazillion years ago. I know the wish to end the pain that you think will never end. But now, as a reasonably hopeful guy, I'm saddened by the days and nights not lived by those who jumped, when perhaps after some time or some therapy or something, their depression lifts, true love arrives and they enjoy the mysteries of life again. But no. They are dead.
As Levi Neill once said: "There is no detox from Death."
Coit Tower stands majestic over there. Bicyclists speed by. And I look at the red cables, imagining those who have grabbed them, hoisted themselves up on the rail, balanced themselves briefly, and then plunged into the Bay below.
Chilling. Not in a nice way, but in a real way.
Music: "Crazy" sung by Shawn Colvin
Download 01 Crazy
(P.S.: I'll be putting some music on the StuBlog by other artists and my myself, from time to time. Do them a favor. Don't steal the tune. Buy it, like I did, on ITunes or elsewhere.
My ITunes and BMI checks are partly how I support myself. So be a pal. Don't steal the music. Buy it if you like it, and help Shawn feed her kids and me, feed my Pathfinder.)