Old Hopes And New Shoes Poem by Charles Hancock

She had been feeling the blues
But was still clinging to old hopes
Even though she had new shoes
This footwear was no hoax

The shoes weren't what she had in mind
Traded in flip-flops for safety toes
It's tough leaving her family behind
It's either this or they foreclose

Those elusive fantasies of the past
Nothing more than a pipe dream
Her life was much different by contrast
Sometimes she just wants to scream

Twelve hours on three hours sleep
There is never enough time in the day
To go on, she must dig down deep
Got to work to receive the pay

She don't know when she'll get caught up
Diapers, doctors, and supper to cook
With one hand gripped to a coffee cup
Wishing she had the time for a good book