The way I walk these days the tips

of my soles and the edge of my heels

wear out too fast for a man with children.

So I tell Rocco, cobbler nonpareil,

“Tack on four steel cleats,

two in front, two in back”

so I can walk home between

two full shopping bags

and whatever pride I can summon.

All four blocks of concrete,

I’ll keep those cleats from clicking.

Decades ago I wore cleats

as big as doubloons;

I struck them so hard sparks

flew from the sidewalk.

You bet all the girls

in high school knew 

a man was walking behind them.

— Donal Mahoney