Wearing a groove in the pavement

Posted on November 27, 2007
Filed Under Life |

I looked up from the bus this morning to see an unusual sight. Hundreds of commuters were piling up the steps out of Waverley Station, rushing on their way to work, huddling into their jackets to keep warm. In the face of this deluge of bodies, one man was calmly walking in a straight line in the opposite direction, parting the employed of Edinburgh like the Red Sea.

The man going the other way is a tramp. I’ve seen him for years, walking the streets of this beautiful old city with his parka coat on and massive military style rucksack on his back. I’d like to know his story. He isn’t a figure of pity. Far from it. He looks like he’s chosen the lifestyle. His clothes aren’t in tatters, his backpack is modern and untarnished. His face however has glazed over. He’s pulled out of the race. He’s no longer running.

Funny thing is, he was the only one on the Waverley Steps who looked like he was travelling in the right direction.

Comments

One Response to “Wearing a groove in the pavement”

  1. Ingrid on November 27th, 2007 7:51 am

    Great observation. I think he not only looked like the only one going in the right direction, he probably was too.

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