I have to be honest – I rarely ever think about you. Which, I suppose, is the ultimate testament to how good you are at what you do. At times, however, I know this may come across as ingratitude, and for that, I’m sorry. You’ve accused me of being a fickle S.O.B. and I know there is a certain amount of truth to that. I expect a lot in a lamentably short period of time, and offer little more than neglect the rest of the year. I’ve smeared you in various pastes, oils and creams, seeking to improve upon perfection. I’ve even experimented with others, and you keep taking me back without question. You continue to endure these indignities with a level of class well above my own.
There was that time when the conditions were a lot muddier than I had expected, and I caught myself wondering out loud why I hadn’t worn a good pair of rubber boots instead. You took it silently, as is your way, and then sent me ass over tea kettle as I tried to remove you while standing balanced on one foot in the mud room when we got home. I knew I had it coming, and I can only hope the warm bath and oil rub you got that night made everything ok again.
We both know there will come a time when you’ll need help – there’s no use beating around the bush on that account. Hell, the day will come when I’ll need it too. Trust that I’ll spare no expense, and thank Dog we live in one of those places where skillful cobblers haven’t yet gone totally by the wayside. Your seams and soles will be lovingly taken care of. I imagine by that time my lustful, wandering eye will have been cured as well. We’ll settle into a comfortable, if seasonal, monogamy. Frankly, I’m looking forward to it.
– Smithhammer
Mouthful of Feathers 
Lovely piece of writing and a great pair of boots too! I wish I’d been able to find a pair that evoked the same feeling.
Funny, I was going to write a tribute to a pair of boots I retired this year. I’ve owned them for 12 years, they stayed waterproof for 10. I tended to them as tenderly as anything I own. I wore them last year, with wet feet, because they served me so well it was hard to replace them.
Simply fantastic. Good boots are a necessity for jouneys over hill and dale in pursuit of birds or other pleasures.
I’ve had a few of these affairs over the years. Glad I’ve hit the point where comfort wins over speed.
Sweet poetry for the most important and least appreciated. If only I could find such a love.