My Steel Toes
Jason Robinson
oxblood in color
Doc Martens
these boots i wore
across america and
back
i had the idea that
my footwear
could double as
a weapon
or as a work tool
in the labor pool
in my city of
destination
when i was
broke
drunk
evil
and alone
these boots
i slept in
i dared not
take them off
for fear of theft
my boots survived
san diego
skid row in los angeles
stinky greyhound
across west texas
and the pregnant girl
with rotten teeth
scratched they
brought me back to
carolina
they sit in my closet now
polished and
revered
