Penance the Vagabond

So the wayfarer

Left yet again

 

This town was dead too

And he was steadily reinforcing the habit

That age old adage

Pray for the best and prepare for the worst

 

But the gravel was happy to meet

The restless soles

And he was refreshed in the air

Reinforced with the allure of travel again

 

So he evacuated in the night

Leaving the darkened windows at his back

Allowing the tired watching eyes to rest

Simply smiling behind the crimson glow

Of his cigarette

 

He found there was a different kind of death here

It may have been related to the death of the past place

But this was still entirely unique to the area

As all death must be, unique, he thought

 

The town before

It lured the dying

But this place was closer to an infection

A contagion that is spread by contact

Leaving the infected to descend into delirium

 

And perhaps he should fear this infection

Because he has resided here

But he is hoping that isolation

Complete removal from the infectious item

Will perhaps stave off the disease

 

“And really,”

He thinks to himself

“I feel better already.”

 

So with the road stretched out before him

And the second waypoint fading into the distance

He flicks the cigarette at the pavement

And enjoys the fireworks

 

The road it seems

Along with the abandoned butt

Are in celebration because of his decision

05/10/2012

Author's Note

0716 am

Reviews

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Where your mind takes the reader is remarkable. Your creative writing always brings a spectrum of thought-provoking themes. This is another piece that captivates...
A lonely traveler on a lonely road contemplating a town plagued by disease, and death all around. This makes a hell of a write! Nice work. Loved the last stanza.

[MOON]

Lovely write , the road and the traveller as one. Some striking lines
The town before
It lured the dying
But this place was closer to an infection
A contagion that is spread by contact

[patricia]

I could relate to this a lot, especially the ...feel better already. People move on for different reasons, you captured this one reason extremely well. It was very real and present. Enjoyed.

[...]

We all think about the journey. We all think about the milestones. But we rarely think about the road itself. I find this piece absolutely consuming because of that last stanza especially. The road -- which is the witness -- can also potentially celebrate. It may not be a part of the traveler's journey but it can still share parts of the journey. A fascinating write, my friend.