Oh, you precious tattered old pieces of junk
with the rubber falling off to the wayside with each step
polka-dots so faded they’ve turned into moldy splotches
that make me scared to even try and shove you on my feet.
Oh, you ratty two-soles hidden in my memory
who stand guard by the door, watching me walk away
and put on the newer, prettier upgrades I bought
once I was old enough to purchase my own pair.
Oh, you horrible looking reminders of my past
I used to run for hours squishing torn fabric between my toes
squealing with joy and stomping in puddles
back forever ago when cold and wet were in season.
Oh, you ancient relics of my childhood trauma
I shoved you away like I shoved the screaming as I ran
faster and faster into the trees
and stomped the whole way home once I’d been found.
Oh, how much I didn’t think I’d miss you
you stupid yellow boots of old.
how wrong I was! I cried for hours that day
when I saw you were finally gone.