You frame the cobbler at his bench
Horsehair brush in calloused hand
Ferris wheel groans above the trench
Autumn wind combs through the land
Wax melts tin in copper pot
Leather drinks the amber gloss
Carousel horses ride the rot
Frost etches patterns on the cross
Buff the grain until it gleams
Dark wave pulses through the steel
Nothing stays as broken seems
One more coat to hide the heal
Ticket booth leans on splintered post
Cotton candy spindle frozen pink
Bumper cars sleep like metal ghost
You adjust the lens and blink
Awl taps rhythm on the sole
Thread pulls tight through seasoned hide
Roller coaster tracks console
Empty trains on rusted guide
Buff the grain until it gleams
Dark wave pulses through the steel
Nothing stays as broken seems
One more coat to hide the heal
Mirror ball catches dying sun
Scattered squares on peeling paint
Cobbler works while day is done
Hands move sure without complaint
Buff the grain until it gleams
Dark wave pulses through the steel
Nothing stays as broken seems
One more coat to hide the heal
Pocket knife shaves roughened edge
Beeswax warms on fingertips
Merry-go-round accepts the pledge
No one here to claim the chips
Buff the grain until it gleams
Dark wave pulses through the steel
Nothing stays as broken seems
One more coat to hide the heal
Film advance lever clicks once more
Final frame on expired stock
Cobbler nods toward the door
Packs his kit and checks the clock
Buff the grain until it gleams
Dark wave pulses through the steel
Nothing stays as broken seems
One more coat to hide the heal
Buff the grain until it gleams
Last polish on the spinning wheel
Shutter closes on the scene
Leather gleams in cold machine