Slip one on for Size
by Kristie Demers
Find the pair that fits me best.
Leather, suede, rubber, cloth
My choice,
not mom’s,
the salesman’s,
or the price tag.
In one step, I fall in love.
Newness beams,
I smile, parading around.
They are my sidekicks in this battle of life,
Taking me exactly where I need to go.
If I need an escape, I run, they cushion.
If I want to adventure, I seek, they support.
If I hope to attain, I strive, they provide the path.
But my pair of sneakers, now worn through their soles,
Gave me the opportunity to see the world.
Rocky quarries with my brother,
Muddy creeks filled with darting tadpoles,
Gum spotted playgrounds chock-full of laughter,
Empty classrooms that once dispensed knowledge,
Now a jagged brickyard awaits me to cross it.
The soles are fading
And my mind is changing.
I no longer need my sidekicks:
Their cushion, support or direction.
I know what I want, for I have experienced the world.
This is my dream now, my future, my sole choice.
Not mom’s,
or the advisor’s,
or the price tag.
I step into one class and fall in love.
Want to submit a piece of poetry or prose? Email KristieDemers@hercampus.com