To a Young Woman Wearing Flip Flops on the PATH train in Late Fall

I grant you this train is too warm
That we all have seats
But soon you’ll be on the street.

Okay, feet are tough--
The parakeet’s scaly
Gray and pink claws
Hardly feel the cold
As far as I can tell,

But what about spike heeled boots
Dr. Martens and wooden soled clogs?
What about huge basketball sneakers?

How do your blue-nailed toes
Dance safely among them?

Do you trust those other feet?
Are you so confident that
You simply stride
Or glide or slip and slide
On congealed spit
and concrete?

Oh mysterious Young Woman
Who can wear flip flops
On the PATH train.