Rain slick on the factory gate
Moss drinks deep where steel once ate
Bench sits firm on cracked concrete
Brush moves slow in steady beat
Wax warms soft on calloused thumb
Leather drinks what years have done
Buff the grain till light returns
Watch the moss where mortar burns
Old hands know what time forgets
Shine survives the rust and nets
Boot sole split by winter's bite
Thread pulls tight through faded white
Heel taps rhythm on the last
Future walks on buried past
Buff the grain till light returns
Watch the moss where mortar burns
Old hands know what time forgets
Shine survives the rust and nets
Rain stops falling on the roof
Vines creep slow on weatherproof
Factory chimney stands like bone
Cobbler works this zone alone
Buff the grain till light returns
Watch the moss where mortar burns
Old hands know what time forgets
Shine survives the rust and nets
Oil cloth wraps the day's last pair
Salt and sweat still linger there
Proverb spoken to the grain
Walk enough you'll wear the rain
No fare to call no meter run
Just leather breathing in the sun
Moss and polish find their truce
Each worn thing finds its use
Morning breaks on rusted wire
Brush rests warm beside the fire
Boots lined up on wooden shelf
Cobbler talks to no one else
Buff the grain till light returns
Watch the moss where mortar burns
Old hands know what time forgets
Shine survives the rust and nets
Morning light on leather grain
Moss and leather sun and rain