Shoes
i
shoes carry the world’s burdens.
in our time
few decisions that affect us all
are made by barefoot people.
ii
some people are like shoes.
you put them on
they fit
you smile.
iii
other people, like shoes,
can press you
hurt you
make you whimper.
iv
it’s not wise
to purchase shoes
on the Internet.
try them on first.
same with people.
v
some people
have many pairs of shoes.
others, only a few.
what’s important
is that they give you comfort.
friends are like that, too.
vi
as people age
they look for comfort
in a pair of shoes
and in their mate.
vii
when shoes wear out
on the inside
they are useless.
you should throw them away
even if, on the outside
they look fine.
when people wear out
on the outside
too often we throw them away
even though, on the inside,
they are beautiful.
viii
old people
may not wear
sexy shoes.
that doesn’t mean
they are not
on the prowl.
ix
people wear
different kinds of shoes
for different kinds of activities.
if you try to run
in 5” heels
you will fall.
if you try to tango
in steel-toed boots
you will step
on your partner.
resilience is a key indicator
of success.
x
shoes come in all colors
and sizes:
black
brown
yellow
white
red
big
small
wide
narrow.
diversity offers more choices.
that’s a good thing.
xi
if your shoes are too big
you may stumble.
if you are too big for your shoes
you will crash.
xii
shoes have their own
stories to tell.
they protect us
on our journey through life.
choose them with care.
xiii
don’t be afraid
to go barefoot
from time-to-time.
your shoes won’t mind.
touch Earth Mother
honor her
with your gratitude.
This is a poem I wrote a while back, along the line of Wallace Stevens’ 13 Ways of Looking at Blackbirds. Today’s prompt at dVerse Poetics, offered by Shanyns, invites us to consider shoes so I couldn’t resist succumbing to my post-Thanksgiving stupor and sharing it today.
This is wise and beautiful. You made me really ponder shoes, something that I, not generally a shoe-person the way so many women are, am not prone to do. My opinion of shoes sure has changed through the years. Comfort is key, but it’s nice if there is some beauty to admire also.
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shoes, or lack there-of, becomes an ideal topic when describing humanity. you’ve stretched this 13 and it is still as vibrant at the end as the beginning. I laughed at the elders prowling and steel-toed tango. the whole piece really had me smiling. This is one I’d like to use as a prompt for myself today.
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Victoria – puts mine to shame – but I’m okay with that this is a remarkable piece and I love the last stanza – excellent – thank you!
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Favorites: i – the power, iv – the wisdom, viii – the vitality – what a mix! Thanks for these.
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Amazing, Thank you for writing which is quite good and best wishes always, and greetings
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I love this! I’m a fan of being barefoot as much as I can – in all four seasons! This set has so much to love. What sticks is the elders on the prowl – indeed! Laughs! Very good. Thanks for joining in!
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Your last verse resonated with me. I remember walking barefoot in the grass at Glastonbury Abbey.
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Lovely take on shoes and the humans who wear them, some nice comparison and some…well not so nice. 🙂
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I ADORED this poem, which made me smile all the way through. Love. It. I especially love the stanza about people being beautiful on the inside when they are older. So very true. And we have the BEST stories, too!
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A wonderful conceit–I was thinking of this before reading your note–it works so well, Victoria–thanks. k.
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I so enjoyed this Victoria, excellent ideas and images…….old people can’t wear sexy shoes??? Really??? Damn!
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Oh my, I absolutely loved this one – and as I read on, I fell in love a lil’ bit more!
My favourite bits;
some people are like shoes.
you put them on
they fit
you smile.
xi
if your shoes are too big
you may stumble.
if you are too big for your shoes
you will crash.
xiii
don’t be afraid
to go barefoot
from time-to-time.
your shoes won’t mind.
touch Earth Mother
honor her
with your gratitude.
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Very wise. Great metaphors- shoes as persons and persons as shoes. A delightful read. 🙂
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Many styles of shoes for many different people..the main thing is we find a pair that fits comfortably for our journey.
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A necessity truly but an item of fashion and pride as well. Wonderful write Victoria!
Hank
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Love these bits of wisdom, Victoria… especially 5, 7 and 11.
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This is just an excellent take on shoes (or on humans.. Or both). Love all the wisdom you weave in your words.
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*smile* That was almost the world put into the shoes! Nice touch. And you inspired me to write the following:
DO IT
Many girls have many shoes.
Many boys have many news.
And the moral of this verse
you will know if you rehearse.
|:. † .:| Anders
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13 stanzas of wisdom regarding shoes; really a brilliant take on Stevens, Victoria, and a terrific use of the prompt–nice you had already written one that fit perfectly (no pun intended). The separate diverse stanza poems do excite me, because each one is a separate & unique poem on its own. My fave was #viii, for obvious reasons; nice job, thanks & smiles (& burps).
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Very very interesting collection, though I must say that I am touched by some parts than more – especially the last one of course – it simply has an amazing effect!
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I really enjoy your poem, Victoria! Lots of great insights and analogies here.
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Victoria, I love this poem. So many touching stanzas. Stanza vii really moved me deeply. So true, the insides of people continue to be beautiful even though their outer body ages. I also very much liked v and viii…..but then again I liked them all. Kudos for a wonderful write.
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ha. i might make some of my best decisions bare foot to the earth, you know…smiles. i like the thought of shoes as friends as well…oo too big for your shoes you will crash….same on britches too…ha….nice gems v….
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Victoria, excellent poem. I liked the way you intertwined shoes and people throughout. Great read. >KB
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smiles… i’m all for going barefoot you know… i really like how you use the shoes as a metaphor here… and the right shoe for the right time… being sensitive to what makes sense… and yeah… never throw them away cause they are worn on the outside… rather help ’em heal up…right..?
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