Railing Against Something

 

I grew up without a balcony, one to climb up or jump off. I couldn’t step out in the fresh air and reassess things, gazing into the distance, perched from the ideal height with which to ridicule a neighbors’ paltry pruning. Had that been the case, I certainly would’ve had a railing. Not bars redolent of a minimum security penitentiary, perfectly tuned for the rhythmic, repetitive tapping of a metal coffee cup. No shivs to speak of. It would've been a sturdy barrier of entry or ya know, exit.

Most railings are against something, like a wall or a well-defined geologic formation. But railing against something is easy. It provides you the necessary support to stand out above the clouds, while still living on the ledge respectability. It’s safe, given OSHA regulations and the litigious culture we have chosen to reside in. Anyone can rail against anything, as long as it can support their weight. As a nation, we're getting bigger, which is no small detail. Belt tightening, though rendered obsolete amid the onslaught of sweatpants culture, is still a good indicator of a struggling society. 

Railing against nothing though? Now that’s another matter. Most people feel naked railing against nothing, believing they are not cut out for such a display of hubris. At least going out on a limb involves a limb, however fragile it may be. You don’t see gargoyles complaining from their resting place. They don’t say much, mostly gargling rainwater, as others try to overcome a fear of falling.  

Can it get windy up there? Might you have to fend off lost birds? Will a cozy rapport with air traffic control improve your mood? Clearly. However, what you’ll find is that life without railing leaves room for lot of other types of behavior. After years of fantasizing about life as a musketeer, you could finally take up fencing. All that’s left is a life of strict gatekeeping. 

Oh, and one last thing: Don’t look down.