World of Words with Elias Tobias is copyrighted © 1998-2001 by Michael Hall.

Rows of crosses line
both sides of the boulevard,
so common, they’re
essentially invisible, yet
    so important.
The silent T’s telegraph
the transfer of energy
and information down
the street and to the rest
    of the world.
Like a spider web, black
cables remain suspended
and bow from pole to pole,
so the pattern repeats from
    street to street.

Spring

Breathe.
Smell the revived freshness
of new life in the breeze.

Observe.
See the subtle changes of
colors spring from the earth.

Feel.
Sense the differences in the
leaves because they’re real.

Taste.
The Flavor of fresh strawberries
brings a smile to your face.

Listen.
Hear the wind whisper the news
of new lives quietly being christened.

Shoes

Working shoes…
	black, tan, brown, don’t mind the
	rain or a little dirt.  It doesn’t hurt.
	It helps because money will be there
	at the end of the week so the family
	can eat.  The soles feed the souls.

Tennis shoes…
	Sport shoes, cross trainers with 
	color and understood logos run
	with the wind and defeat those
	who are slow.  The winners know
	which shoes are the best.

Sandals…
	are part-time shoes.  They save the
	tender toes from hot sand or sharp
	little stones as feet go down the 
	street.  When not in use, they are
	tossed on the floor, to be found again.

Cowboy boots…
	ropers for wranglers or dress boots
	for dancing, step to the ways of the
	West.  Like a horse, they need to be
	broke in, and then the saddle fits
	for life.  Cowboys die with them on.

Combat boots…
	regardless of color, help keep the
	world safe.   Mud and blood, sweat
	and death can stain the leather as
	boots travel through forests and
	deserts.  They can be good friends.

Blue Suede shoes…
	or red shoes, high-heeled shoes,
	and bright white shoes celebrate
	the happy times in life when people
get together with family and friends.
They get lonely in corner of the
closet when they have no parties
to attend.

House shoes…
	the bunny hoppers or leather slip-ons
	keep the feet warm on the cold nights
	when the winds blow the snow over
	the land.  Hop hop to the table for 
	another cup of hot chocolate, and
	everyone seems to have a good time.

The mist slowly rises from water, like a blue ghost in shapeless form. The morning moon is seen through the fog by nude nymphs splashing playfully in the sparkling pool. A loud car radio blaring through Its windows signals the sign of civilization, breaking a strange quiet.

The day grows older, minute by minute, and soon the sun is over the horizon. The girlish giggles echo, but then are covered over the passing of planes and cars honking, stuck in asphalt lanes. Blue turns into white as the day brings the light and the mist disappears. A landscape photographer arrives because the lake is pretty when no one is there.