Ruth Walters (London, U.K.)

I've been thinking about my poor feet.
I remember when they looked all dinky
going on point did naught for me joints
now they're twisted and mangled and mingin'

I remember those days of my youth,
those high heels all trendy and pointy
I would try to allure Teddy boys by the score,
with my new shoes from Barrats or Dolcis

Now I wish I'd looked after me feet
and not let them both hum like old cheeses.
All those trainers I wore made them smell even more
oh the shame of it makes me feel queasy.

All my toes are bent up and all nasty
and I can't get my shoes to feel comfy.
So it's slippers for me now that I've reached 60
and chiropodists each week on Mondays.