black shoes

my black shoes extend into the night
one step from the edge of street light
and bad bar banter

a whore winks at me, but
i don't listen to that shit

only the clopping off of my morals
to the rhythm of hypodermics on the pavement

that's my music.

i notice a thick skuff mark
and say, 'fuck'
loud enough that the greek women exiting the bar
notices and shakes her head

'they're my only ones,'
i say

she thinks i'm drunk
but it's the shoes.