Many moons ago, a fresh faced youth of twenty six was emailed by their university lecturer to inform them that they would be included in an upcoming poetry anthology.
This was my first experience of that magical moment, when you see your name in print. It may not be my best ever poem, but it was an important milestone for me as a writer. This publication (please see picture collage below) made me believe that one day, I could make a career out of writing. Steemit has reignited this ambition in me, and I would like to share that first instance of ambition made reality with all my fellow steemians. I hope you enjoy...
A Soulless Shoe
Blasted skin baked by furnace light,
fried bacon sizzling red,
illuminated coal blackened back,
bent in weary stoop,
the whole of focus finite,
eyes locked on glowing metal,
a scientist with a microscope hammer.
Slowly the horseshoe takes shape,
hammered with iron will,
steam rising from the water bucket,
finding freedom in the dense air,
escaping the cauldron, soon to boil -
with white hot metal.
With a child's eye he stamps his mark,
driving home an internal drum beat,
rhythmic, soothing, smash, bang, then heat again,
until shape is born of nothing,
a creation, Lego-like in its satisfaction,
a simple soulless shoe.
The farrier holds court in his furnace,
king of the fire living out dreams that burn,
this place where he is lord,
where all bends to his blistered hands,
has laid low dreams he barely fathoms,
by moulding him in its shape.
