Dirty little footprints

You leave dirty little footprints

Now it is winter
the snow is falling
and you can only walk
with the assistance of others

You search for your tracks
but as fast as you make them
they are hidden

We know what lies beneath, you and I
when the hands that are claws
were boxing gloves
and the shoes that are useless weights
stamped and kicked

There must have been school bound kisses
the admonition that was my diet must surely
have been peppered with praise
the words of love cannot always have sat
like stones in the mouth

I have put away my greatcoat
and my shovel
winter cannot erase, cannot exculpate
and I must not dig any deeper
for fear of where the footprints
might lead