Her Shoes

Booties, crocheted
with fine lace and brilliant ribbon,
dance with abandon

Her debut performance

Soon replaced
by muddy sneakers, scuffed toes
and dangling laces

Sliding recklessly toward home

Overnight come boots
of leather, masculine and rough,
steel toes and attitude

Marching to a silent drummer

Time and lust transform;
boots become stilettos, sharp-toed
and dangerous

Beating a tattoo of power

She wears them with confidence,
sequined and sleek,
feeling invincible

Striding into the future

Unprepared for the last act
sturdy brogues, tied with
double knots

She shuffles quietly from the stage