Calluses on my Feet

“So you’ve lived in this house for how long?”
asked the support worker

“About nine months,” he replied

“Ready to go again?” she questioned

“No, I like it here in Mount Gambier.” he replied

“Ah ha,” said the support worker judgingly
Not convinced she added.
“So, why are you still living out of your suitcase?”

There was a long silent pause.

“Actually I’ve lived in Mount Gambier,
for fifteen months.”

“Where have you been in between?” she inquired

“Coonawarra, Naracoorte, Adelaide,” he started
“Grawler, Sydney with bus trips in between.
Oh and Victoria, Dartmoor and other places like Warrnambool.
Bargo, Tahmoor, Mittagong, Bowral, Campbelltown, Picton.
Oh yeah there was, Ballarat, Wollongong.
Oh and some places along the Great Ocean Road
such as Eden, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and Portland.”

“Right…. All that in fifteen months?
You must be exhausted.”

“No not really…” he answered
rubbing the calluses on his feet

“So why are you still living out of your suitcase?”

Richard James Bell © 10th January 2010