Hard fit two

Hillary Russak

I slipped into your safety boots

when none were ‘round to spy my try

‘took three and me seated

on the locker room floor

socks shocked

at your small feet holding that

thick sole with black steel-toed leather

and lace left dangling

right an intricate tangle

You tied that knot bound

till I discorded

then wore it bare and solemn

pinched heel smack where yours had stood

Shorn of my own understand

I wore you a time and

eyed the bind on the other foot

to know just

how it crossed the tongue

and sewed the sides

for me to walk a mile in you