the shine

all day,
on his knees at the station.
he rubs
the polish into
shoes.
boots. pressing
in a circle
the paste onto leather,
buffing it in,
putting a shine on
for those who come
and go.
at night, he puts
the money
on table,
and tells his wife
he loves her,
to which she says,
with a hand on
his shoulder,
I know.