Shoes

by Doug Pugh

Cliff’s edge,
As I wander from security
Of the teddy bear smiles of yesterday:
Long ago,
Not forgotten, but not seen
For what they were.

Then I found
That coming back
From somewhere I hadn’t been
Before
Made walking different,
My stride out,
Yesterday’s feet not fitting
Today’s shoes.

But while I wondered
And looked at shoes
And feet, toes, and blisters,
Trying to make sense
Of simple things
In bewildering complexity,
I remembered
That you do not
Walk backwards.

You walk instead
With the smiles of yesterday
In your pocket;
A comfort when you need
Familiar curves
And anchors
For tomorrow’s dawn, tomorrow’s tread,
Enjoying the view of now
And the sunshine
Over the next brow
Without wrinkles
From yesterday’s worries.