In my childhood
There was a proliferation
Of Lucky Rabbit’s Feet
Stocked near the postcard rack
At Woolworth’s Five & Dime
And Kresge’s Stores
Down past the lunch counter
The egg salad, the BLT’s
And Breakfast-Served-All-Day
A few aisles over where you could
Scent the powders and perfumes
From the Notions Department

Ferruled and hung
On a snake chain in a bin
Next to the beaded belts
Lettered “Niagara Falls”
And “Sault Ste. Marie”
Not rabbit’s feet at all
Just some gerryed junk
From Taiwan or someplace
That we impressed upon
With belief and faith
And magic
As luck would have it

Even in our posed
Shoulders back omnipotence
We gripped fists
‘Round ersatz fur
And dewclaws
Dangled from belt loops
When the going got tough
And the tough got going
Earnest boys
Being boys, earnestly
In stuttered courage
Clenching feckless
Talismans of innocence

© jameshoustonarts 2025