-Charles Bukowski, “the strangest sight you ever did see—”
one day I saw something extra. I heard the sound of it first. “come on, push!” he said. there was a long board about 2 1/2 feet wide and 8 feet long; nailed to the ends and in the middle were roller skates. he was pulling in front two long ropes attached to the board and she was in back guiding and also pushing. all of their possessions were tied to the board: pots, pans, bedquilts, and so forth were roped to the board tied down; and the skatewheels were grinding.
he was white, red-necked, a southerner— thin, slumped, his pants about to fall from his ass— his face was pinked by the sun and cheap wine and she was black and walked upright pushing; she was simply beautiful in turban long green ear rings yellow dress from neck to ankle. her face was gloriously indifferent.
“don’t worry!” he shouted, looking back at her, “somebody will rent us a place!”
she didn’t answer.
then they were gone although I still heard the skatewheels.
they’re going to make it, I thought.
I’m sure they did.
