Knife marks fade on the cutting bench
Quercus shadows stretch and clench
Cobbler breathes in measured time
Buffing wheel begins to chime
Skin remembers what the hoof knew
Grass species by the morning dew
Cobbler's cloth moves slow and sweet
Polishing the years into the seat
Once I wore the Hereford hide
Androstegia grew beside
Roots drank deep from prairie rain
Now I take the oil and stain
Skin remembers what the hoof knew
Grass species by the morning dew
Cobbler's cloth moves slow and sweet
Polishing the years into the seat
Through the glass the backyard grows
Artemisia in the rows
Cobbler's hands know every grain
Like a Latin botanist's refrain
Skin remembers what the hoof knew
Grass species by the morning dew
Cobbler's cloth moves slow and sweet
Polishing the years into the seat
Final pass brings out the gleam
Solidago in the dream
Skin remembers, flesh forgets
Boot waits for the foot that fits
Skin remembers what the hoof knew
Grass species by the morning dew
Cobbler's cloth moves slow and sweet
Polishing the years into the seat
Buff and shine, the long day ends
Skin remembers, skin transcends