Red Shoes

As a child born just after the depression I spent my summers going barefoot and new shoes were purchased when it was time to go back to school. So that they would last through the winter there was always plenty of toe room and a style that was tough enough to take lots of hard wear. This meant they were oxford style shoes in either black or brown. Oh my, how my little girl heart would pine for the bright red Mary Jane's in the store window.

So I wrote a little something for those of you who's little girl heart longed for a pair of red shoes and still leaps at the sight of just that right pair of shoes.



Red Shoes

I woke up this morning
and jumped out of bed.
I looked at the sky
it was all yellow and red.



I said to myself
I know what I'll do.
I will go and show Nena
My brand new school shoes.



I pulled on my jeans
slipped on a pink sweater.
Cuddling my new shoes
I was set for my journey.



I said to myself
I know what I'll do.
I will take the path
through the woods
and carry my shoes.



The leaves were so bright
they glowed in the sun.
I stopped at the creek
to squish mud through my toes.




Then I washed in the creek
so cold and so clear.
Then I hopped on one foot
to see how far I could go.



Soon through the trees
Nena's house I could see.
With pretty green shutters
and Nena waiting for me.



We talked about school
and my new friend Ann.
Then I showed her my shoes.
And she said Oh! My!



The toes are so shiny
so pretty and new.
Yes, red is just
the right color for you.



My closet in now filled with shoes of every hue that still make my heart sing. Some I haven't been able to wear for awhile because the heels are too high. But soon.

I hope each of you has some small thing that makes your heart sing.