The Two Shoes
There once was a pair of shoes that were brand new.
As the years rolled by, though, the shoes became worn down.
They began to slant to one side, which caused a lot of trouble; they became very tired.
Walking miles and miles through life, they searched for someone to come alongside to help them, looking for a place to get fixed, a place to kick back, relax, and take in a deep breath.
They walked down sidewalks for miles and miles, searching.
One day, they ran into a set of footprints that took them completely by surprise. They stopped, amazed at what they saw.
Where were those impressions going, wondered the pair of shoes?
The two shoes were very curious, so they set out purposed to follow them.
It was wet, muddy, dark, and cold down sidewalks and up hills, but the shoes continued through their sheer tenacity to follow the footprints.
It was lonely through the muck and mire of life’s journey, but once they passed through the troubled waters gaining a higher ground, the sun peeped out, shining on them. The rays were warm and oh-so magnificent.
It took some time, but the two shoes finally began to dry out.
Then suddenly, they remembered the footprints. Where were they, wondered the shoes? They searched all over yet found not a trace.
But they felt better than they had in a very long time. Looking down at their feet, the soles of their shoes had mysteriously become brand new, no longer slanting this way or that. How had this happened, wondered the shoes?
A big thank you was definitely in order, but the footprints were nowhere to be found.
Finally, letting it go, it was time for the shoes to move on.
The two resoled shoes felt better than they had for the first time in years (since they could even remember when), and they were not afraid to keep walking through life anymore.
Somehow, deep, deep, inside they knew if they needed help again, the footprints would reappear; they didn’t even need to know how.
They kicked up their heels with new vim and vigor and began again, ready for whatever was laid before them.
Published by North Carolina Bards Poetry Anthology 2023
