Though it’s well off the beaten track <br /> The ruins of a house provide <br />Some shelter to wanderers who lack <br />a fixed abode where they abide. <br /> <br />Some tramps are educated men <br />who’ve opted out of the rat race <br />Yet others can’t go home again <br />because they left in black disgrace. <br /> <br />And some their inner demons drive <br /> to keep on moving constantly <br />The travel but do not arrive <br /> just keep on moving endlessly. <br /> <br />Their goal they can’t identify. <br />They meet and greet occasionally <br /> but keep a wary weather eye. <br />True friendship is in short supply. <br /> <br />Each man a complete mystery. <br /> They all obey the traveller’s code <br />You do not ask their history. <br />The reasons why they’re on the road. <br /> <br />They’re free to go and free to come <br />Some choose to stay a day or two. <br />The ruin bids them all welcome <br /> as any haven ought to do. <br /> <br />Though it’s well off the beaten track <br /> It’s widely known to travellers. <br />For some of them keep coming back <br /> to the sparse comfort it offers. <br /> <br />So when the winter storms draw near. <br />Stray wanderers start to arrive, <br />they will wait out the winter here <br /> and do their best to stay alive. <br /> <br />When spring returns their wanderlust <br />will set them travelling again. <br />They will not stay but go they must <br />this hopeless breed of homeless men.<br /><br />ivor .e hogg<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/itchy-feet-story-poem/
