he sits by the roadside everyday
with his tools placed on a cloth in front
a few shoe soles hung on a board behind him
sewing a broken shoe or polishing another
he is the one who mends people’s shoes
struggles for a little shade on a summer noon
barely makes enough for his family to eat dinner
his children never ask him for a gift
for they don’t want to break their father’s heart
they greet him well when he returns back home
they respect his courage to touch everyone’s shoes
the cobbler then sits with his family
all of them relish a few dried pieces of bread TOGETHER
mySestina 