Shoes In Charity Shop Poem by MarieAntoinette Ford

We’ll go first they said with pride
Navy, extra wide, elastic sides
Don’t think because of our clumsy look
We don’t have memories to write a book
She’s gone, they emptied her wardrobe today
Took all her clothes and shoes away
But they all had a story to tell
Of days before, when she was well
Us, we went to her daughters wedding
In a wheel chair too, confounded thing
But we saw her eyes, like diamonds glisten
And felt her pride as she intently listened
To her only child who offered her life
To the man she loved, to be his wife
We looked a picture let us tell you too
Complimenting a suit of pale sky blue
Now she’s gone, unsaved despite her wealth
And we’re now stuck here on this shelf

And we, my darlings, have had to let go
To a wondrous life, said the pink stilettos
You would not believe the life we’ve led
Paris, Rome, cruises on the Med
Champagne, clavier, salmon and cucumber
Always dressed in a slinky number
A dashing man dangling on each arm
She oozed with confidence and charm
But then the years were not so kind
When alcohol muddled up her mind
Friends then started to fall away
Said they would call her another day
And we stayed in a box for years and years
Amongst an array of feather boas
Last week she threw her memories away
We’d rather hoped that we could stay
But we did the rounds, covered the map
And now the cat’s sat on her lap

A little voice that you could hardly hear
Said We are not even meant to be here
We’re supposed to be at the park with Molly
And then on to Katie’s birthday tea
Said the cute little size five red T bar’s
With little pink embroidered stars
We’d always dreamed that I would be
Dipped in gold for the Christmas tree
We’ve been with her everywhere
Steadied her when she let go of the chair
Toddled in daisies in the sun
Splashed a few puddles, that was fun
But now Molly’s grown just a little bit
And the lady said that we don’t fit
Her feet are bigger and need new shoes
Would you believe black patent with bows
And now we are here will never know
If Molly will remember her little red shoes

Don’t be down, you did your job
Said the size twelve brogues with the laces off
We all have our moment, that much is true
And in that moment, do the best we can do.
We both got into a spot of bother
Running around on the feet of a robber
Spent the night in a cold police cell
Got displayed in court as evidence as well
Policeman put our laces into the bin
In case old Smithy tried to do himself in
Stupid really, because he was only hungry
And sadly didn’t have any money
He wasn’t a villain, just an old man
Sleeping at night in a broken down van
At least for now he’s in the warm
In the King’s Cross homeless shelter dorm
Just look at us all, what a motley crew
Leather memories, with a bit of plastic too!