The Aimless Wanderer

The lights of the city reflecting from the aqueous pitch, pavements in a kaleidoscope of colours create a melancholy ambience for the few who venture within. The city is transformed as the animated bustle of people, seemingly with purpose, abandon the streets to their suburban abodes, leaving a nugatory melting pot of the "Ill at ease" to pursue or solicit rudimentary shelter to respite their weary frames.

The man is homeless.......

To the city streets he is confined, incarcerated by their invisible partition that circumscribe his ability to breach the tenticaled alleys and lanes. For buzzing in his mind, "I'm not aloud" echoes through his sub conscience cerebrations. Involuntarily his legs move his ageless body, one foot in front of the other in timeless motion like a driverless carriage aimlessly meandering through the city thoroughfares.

He sits to repose on a lichen encrusted slab that has entreated a myriad of his ilk for generations past and assuredly for many more to traverse. For the briefest moment the fog that clouds his mind is pushed aside by a gentle puff of memory as he is transported to a place where children's laughter fills the room and a woman sitting at a dining table, her auburn hair comfortably resting on her slender shoulders as she gazes admiringly at... Then thunderclouds rush over him like a tidal wave to the sound of, "Move you filthy wino", he scurries off as the fog settles back into its occupation.

Lost within the multitude of human quiddity, like the leaves of a plane tree aquiescing to the winds dominating gusts. He is swept along the tide of life, existing but never living, obedient to every buckle and wrench, never adapting to the changing seasons, accepting feeling of cold and heat with equal passiveness. The drum of life ever beating, yet his march is incessantly out of step.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Ricci Avatar
April 23, 2017 at 6:49 AM
Good Morning Craig. I have no words for this. Please allow me to let your words stand. There is nothing I could add. You wrote with dignity and grace. This is very expressive. Anyone who isn't moved by this does not have a heart. You are the humanitarian in this entry. Bless the aimless wanderer and all aimless wanderers. For some reason we as people do not see what is right in front of us.
Emu Avatar
April 23, 2017 at 3:19 PM
Thanks Lisa, you are right often forgotten. Cheers, Craig
Allison Avatar
November 13, 2016 at 2:39 PM
Such a powerful descriptive write Craig - I had a huge lump in my throat reading your lines - every one of these people has a story to tell - they are not there by choice often a life changing event forces them out on to the street.:-( Hugs Jan xx
Emu Avatar
November 16, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Too true Jan, thanks for reading.
Onclaud Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 2:27 PM
very existential and subtly powerful, craig.. reminds me of albert camus' notion of alienation... darn good work!.. huggs
Emu Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 3:23 PM
Thanks nette, appreciate your kind comments.
Ball Avatar
October 25, 2016 at 2:02 PM
What a sad piece this is. Really great description. I could see the poor homeless man dragging himself through the streets. Great job. God Bless and thanks for your kind words on my "Autumn Wind". God Bless, JB
Emu Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 1:39 PM
Thanks Judy, I really did like Autumn Wind, great poem
Kendrick Avatar
October 24, 2016 at 12:32 PM
Yes, so many that end up homeless suffer from addiction/mental illness which is so sad when help is available to get them in a better situation..Enjoyed reading your prose poetry..Sara
Emu Avatar
November 4, 2016 at 1:40 PM
Thank you Sara for your kind words.
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