My closet floor

Revision 1:

Hidden, littered with shoes--
Some worn in and out,
others only briefly
leaving blisters
upon hearts and soles.

A solitary pair of well polished
army boots stand at parade rest;
salute indelible prints
left on personal battlefields
and the streets of D.C.

During these last warm days
of our autumn
soft leather sandals whisper
to gently fallen leaves.
My boots wait patiently.





Original:

Boots

My closet is full of shoes-

some worn in and out,
others only briefly, leaving
blisters upon hearts and soles.

Worn army boots stand at attention;
salute indelible prints
left on personal battlefields
and the streets of DC.

Now my soft leather sandals merely
whisper to the grass below.

My boots still fit.