Soles of rubber

Able to make waffles

Should one walk across

A layer of batter then

Dip just enough on to a

Hot cast iron pan

 

A day’s work in stompers

Presents at home in the kitchen

Leaving small squares of

Soil molded in patterns

Sweeping the floor

Becomes a meditation

 

High work boots

Laces tied almost to the top

Then wrapped around

ankles for support

Left in the mudroom

Brought into service at morning

 

Useful beyond the job

Once retired an object

To be considered as art

For Alaskans no better planter

Can be found holding

Bright greens and yellows

 

After he was gone

She kept them in the barn

Painted splattered mismatched laces

The occasional hole in leather

Looking at them was enough

Her soul waited for the flowers