photo by Colleen Maloney

Summer Feet

Walking barefoot

On stone crushed more than rounded

Stepping lightly over points

That push into my skin

With feet tender

From their winter coverings

Careful in my placement

I seek the softest path

The heat scorches

Like too many truths

But as the days wear on

My skin will thicken

And I will run up this road

Unafraid of the stone more crushed than rounded

Because they can’t push into my skin

And the truth no longer burns