The Locksmith

(or Jumpsuits & Dancin’ Boots)

I know Ron Weasley made due
With whatever robes the other hands
Handed him down, inhabited them 
right along with Scabbers as well
He not only wore ‘em he owned them robes
His kid sister followed suit next year
And how
It ain’t easy
Shoppin’ for your first wardful 
of Stripper Clothes, uniform enough
To last a whole gig through
This has all the long, classic looks
Fraying lasso-hair stitches & pearl snaps
   —perhaps not entirely indicative of the
       blood dust & saddle worn ilk broken 
          into the spunwoven cotton of The True 
            West's plaid, I mean this shirt, tho purdy,
               ain’t never seen a tumbleweed a'tumblin'—
Of a lean, scruffy male stripper in a cowboy shirt
Old blue jeans, if any, tucked into
                                      The boots
The boots. It’s all about the boots
These boots and those and the thriftstore shirt
Hung on a wire & madeshift pipe from the old windmill well
Once a cowboy’s closet’s best Saturday night
Going out dancin’ type and now         This
May not be the git’up a real
Hand would wear down the droven
Trail but it sure beats 
A jumpsuit for dancin’
Is also tax deductible as professional 
Attire for any locksmith lookin’
To pick up some loose lockets 
Knockin’ about clockin’ weekend overtime
At the Teacher’s Convention
It ain’t easy
You said and I believe you
To do what you have to do
In order to be a poet
Sacrifice the space for a big closet
You said, and keep track of wages & tips
And spend the latter, you said
On knockin’ down walls
And linin’ your dancefloor with boots

Back to Top