You could tell by the way
His gait waned off his shoulders
By the way his hip adjusted
to make room for the toes
that wished to be set free.
By the smile on his face
which was a generous grimace,
By the silent scream of pain and a façade of comfort
That he could handle the butler's sole
just a little longer;
Waning while wearing,
wishing, still wearing-
Just a little longer
Before he lost his sole.
