Sunday, November 3, 2024

Inching Forward

 

Hour & half after encountering the chap 200m up the road, here he was again almost arrived at the kopi shop. It was a slow crawl, or drag in his case, granted; travelling literally by the seat of his pants. In the Malay quarter of Singapore a white songkok signified a man who had performed the hajj. Well, perhaps someone had paid for this man’s fare and he had somehow, just as here, managed the seven circuits of the Kaaba. No deformation was apparent; the left leg twisted inward, perhaps. A pair of flip flops acted as gloves, which would keep his hands relatively clean. Some kind soul did his laundry, provided / fetched food, helped him in his ablutions & necessaries. Early-mid-fifties. In the 10mins it needed for the man to cross in front of the shop he had received alms 5 - 6 times. As he goes he often mutely raises his eyes to passersby. Many would take him as one of the street people paused beneath the veranda.

 



 

 


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