One morning he set off on his walk, but when he reached the point where he usually turns back and heads for home, he kept on going. For hours and hours, on he went, and all the while behind him the city was diminishing. Days later, when he remembered to glance back, the skyline had disappeared completely. Each day the road stretched ahead to an unknown horizon, and each day he came upon quiet places to drink and eat. People in these places were thoughtful and generous, taking nothing, talking little, asking no questions. Refreshed, he’d smile and gather himself then continue on his way. The road was often lined with huge ancient trees, so that in sunshine he could walk shaded, and in rain, sheltered. Eventually he was unable to recall not only his reasons for leaving the city but also his reasons for ever having gone there in the first place.
16 responses to “Gone”
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Thanks for reading, Margaret.
I’m not sure about the title. I changed it at the last minute from ‘Road’, partly because of that Cormac McCarthy novel. Now I think I might change back. Let me know if you’ve any thoughts on it.LikeLike
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I love the title, Gone, Barry. It marries the ‘diminishing’ city with the walker’s sense that they can’t recall why they left the city… a sense of maybe walking into oblivion.
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I love this Barry. I know that feeling – why not just keep walking? What then?
The title – ‘A Morning Walk’ perhaps?-
Thanks for reading, Helen. And for the title suggestion. Yes, how easily a simple morning walk can become something more on just a whim.
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Love it, Barry. I rather like the title ‘Gone’ — we just keep walking into infinity…
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barryleethompson.com 
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