Ezra Rasdale 65 Poem by Robert Matte Jr.

Retired Shoe Salesman

Had trouble figuring it out,
what I should to with my life.
Just drifted from one thing
to another.Maybe I should
blame it on my time in 'Nam
but that's too easy. All of life
is a damn jungle. When I got out
in '70, didn't want to go back
to college, seemed frivolous.
Worked for the circus as a
roustabout. Got married. Had a kid
or two. Sold used cars in Denver.
Drill rig operator in Odessa.
Got divorced. Managed a greasy
spoon called Lulu's in Amarillo.
Moved to Miami for the weather.
Worked as a bellhop at the
Fontainebleau. Great tips and
some handsome women. Went
on like this for years. Jack of
all trades, master of none. Jesus
got hold of me in '94 after I
woke up in my own vomit
outside a dive bar in Reno. Not
a drink since. Talked to my kids
for the first time in 15 years.
Praise God!

Got in the shoe business. For
some reason it stuck. Years of
measuring feet, selling ladies
shoes they didn't need and kids
shoes they did. Seen all the shoe
fads come and go. Then, personal
nature of it fell apart with all them
self service outlets. Nobody wanted
a knowledgeable foot specialist.
Last place I worked was Sancho's
Shoe Salvage. Ring 'em up, they're
out the door. Moved here a couple
years back. Deacon in the church.
Work as a handy man assistant with
the park manager's husband, Bill.
Lots to fix around this place.
My grandkids were here last month.
Worse ways to spend your golden
years. This jungle ain't too bad.