I like this very much John. Yes, you're right, sometimes less is more...or at least just right. I also like how sole also implies to soul here.

there is a wonderful mystery to this ode which poses many questions. who is this man, if he is a man and who are these kids? and why is he planting his sole into their funny faces. was he simply being spiteful? were they drawing his face, which he didn't find particularly funny, among those on the sidewalk? and was his sole coming alive simply an act of retribution? I may be totally off the mark, but these are the impressions I get reading this.