Barefoot Man was wearing shoes today
Even though it was only 10 degrees
I see him maybe once a week
Walking his dog
No lead
On their way to the shops
Bare feet
The dog is black and white
The man’s instructions are
Firm and fair
Stop. Heel. Walk.
Good.
He keeps the dog to his left
Just a step or two behind
His bare feet
They walk back from the shops
Green groceries
In a canvas shoulder bag
One day a large, full bunch of celery
In the man’s right hand
Always uses the left
To point and click fingers at the dog
Stop. Heel. Walk.
Good.
Barefoot Man is tall and lean
Not thin
In his forties?
Long greying hair
Tucked back by sunglasses
Upon his forehead
He walks purposefully
Long easy strides
The dog keeping up
With its four bare feet
One day
He drove by
As I stood at the corner
Tradie’s ute
Builder maybe
Bare feet
On the accelerator?
One day
We acknowledged each other
I nodded Hello
He called me Man
Then back to the dog
Stop. Heel. Walk.
Good.
But today Barefoot Man was wearing shoes
Good walking-hiking shoes
Even though it was only 10 degrees
Vin Maskell 
Great imagery – I find myself often making up back stories for folks I see frequently – or even infrequently, along the way. I reckon this guy has an interesting back story, as plain & ordinary as it may be. I would make up an interesting one though, full of the right amount of pathos, bullshit & comedy!
c.p.
Thanks. I’m a little envious of Barefoot Man. At a guess the dog might be a Border-Kelpie cross.
Thanks Vin. Great observations of detail that bring the seemingly ordinary to life and from your unique perspective.