June 14, 2012

callouses

Originally published October 17, 2003

I've done a lot of physical work in my life and I've walked many a mile in work boots. I played guitar every day for five years and damn near deformed my fingers from that experience. I could strike a kitchen match on the callouses on my left hand back then. My hands still don't seem to belong to the same person today. Left hand and right hand look completely different.

Now my callouses are on the inside. They don't show, but they exist. I've had my heart broken, my manhood stolen and I've looked the Reaper square in the face and lived to tell about it. I live all by myself now, I have lots of money and I fear no consequences. I am more free now than I have ever been in my life.

You know what scares me today? NOTHING!

I like having that feeling. Nobody can hurt me, ever again.