Jonathan Berger's Poetry: Poem of the Day
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THE NEW SHOES

To you, I am the new shoes
uncomfortable, blocky, a regular pain beneath your heel.
You hope that you’ll wear me down,
fit me into your day,
make me a charming accessory.

You expect me to shape myself to your will:
comfortable, tidy.
You want me to fit like a glove
until, eventually,
I am everything you expect, everything you hoped for,
as you toss me away
regretfully;
the old shoes.

I do not accept that plan.
I will not fit so conveniently, so comfortably.
I am not your new shoes
to be ground beneath your heel until I am soullessly tossed aside.
I am more than that, and you might do well to remember that
before I give you the boot.