Someone Else’s Shoes

I’ve walked more than a mile
in someone else’s shoes,
suffered painful corns and blisters
in my quest to empathise,
to see things from other points of view.

I’ve danced in well-worn hobnail boots,
balanced on purple patent platforms,
even worn in a brand new pair of pumps.

But I never braved stilettos,
and I never squashed my toes
into winklepickers, clogs or elevator shoes.

Kim M. Russell, 2018

Image result for paintings of purple platform shoes by famous artists
Purple High Heels Print created by MuralMaker, image found on Pinterest

My response to Poets United Midweek Motif: Shoes

This week, Susan’s challenge is to write a NEW poem featuring shoes in a symbolic narrative or describe a pair of old shoes.

Also linked to Susan’s shoe prompt at What’s Going On? on 24th January 2024.

36 thoughts on “Someone Else’s Shoes”

  3. Good to acknowledge what the narrator hasn’t tried as well as what she’s tried. Maybe empathy cannot be established everywhere, an knowing your limits is necessary. I am actually chuckling, enjoying how you structure this little fable.

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  5. Ha ha, I have! Tried ’em all. But then, at a certain point in my forties I quite abruptly decided, “Only flat soles from now on.” Suddenly, comfort mattered more. Nowadays it’s good walking shoes, not merely any old flatties (as we used to call them). I enjoyed reading this.

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  7. Luckily my wife was tall so did not need outrageous elevation and she was quite considerate of her toes and feet…but she still glanced in shoe stores with that look in her eye at shoes she would never wear.

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  9. kaykuala

    But I never braved stilettos,
    and I never squashed my toes
    into winklepickers, clogs or elevator shoes.

    It is being careful with choices in life that determines the pleasure of sustaining one’s own comfort

    Hank

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  12. What a lovely well-rounded poem Kim, the metaphor in the first stanza excellently executed and the ‘confession’ at the close.
    I have only owned one pair of high-heels in my life – fell over on the first wearing and never wore again. Definitely flats for me.
    Anna :o]

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  17. I love this prompt! I was younger then. And there’s a little less room for magic–other than empathy which is a magic all it’s own, Indeed. BTW, I read that last word as “show”–what was the name of that show host who always said welcome to the “shoe”? Ed Sullivan in reverse!

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