I stepped on a nail

I stepped on a nail. 
It went right through the
heel
of my converse
all-chucks. 

I felt it hit bone. 

I'd gone downtown 
for a change of pace, 
it was such a clean nail - 

when I pulled it free 

with a sucking sound. 
Apart from my blood, 

nothing moved in me. 
And I studied the scene, 
no one looked or cared, 
thank God. The last thing 
I need
is help,
and the first 
thing I need is air.

So I raised myself
by the help of a wall 
and nearby sign,
remembered

to block out the pain
as I took my first step. 

Then I noticed my foot. 
My heel, of my chucks 
- there wasn't any hole! 

There had been no nail. 

"It was all just a poem..." 
I said dreamily. And I hung
my head, 

like a dead
beached whale.