There are many homeless people in Perth CBD. So many of them; some of them come to you and beg for money but some don't. Those who don't, somehow have money to buy alcohol and drink themselves drunk on the streets.
But there is one man that fascinates me. I always wonder how long he has been living on the streets. His hair is unkempt, which is of no surprise. His beard is so long, grey and white and frizzy. His hair is also the same. His skin is wrinkly and dark. And he wears a beanie, be it summer or winter.
I think this man is illiterate. And what fascinates me is that he is always with a pen and a note book and he draws criss-cross lines all over the page. And then he'll put the book down, have it lean against a wall, page opened, and he'll stand away, looking at his art. I always wonder what he is thinking when he looks at his drawing.
This man doesn't drink alcohol and he doesn't asks for money from anyone. It's funny that he doesn't even talk to the other homeless people. He's a recluse himself. Once, I saw him buying coffee from Hungry Jacks with some silver shillings. I don't think the coffee was paid in full but the staff at Hungry Jacks gave him a coffee still.
I always want to talk to this man. I think he must know me by now since I always walk past him and sometimes he sees me waiting at the bus stop too. But he doesn't smile. I want to ask him what his story is; what made him want to be homeless; where his parents or siblings are, whether he was married. I think he has a lot of stories to tell; growing up on the streets is never easy but watching busy working people walking past must be fun. I wonder if he has ever fantasize himself wearing a coat and holding a briefcase and rushing to work. Perhaps he had that sort of life before he became a homeless person? Oh well, so many questions left unanswered. I wish him a good life ahead. I hope that one day he'll be reunited with his family.
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