When My Stilettos Wouldn't Do Poem by Sarah Mkhonza

I had prayed to rule the earth,
In my stilettos walking arm in
Arm with the one I love,
Only to find it was sneakers
That could get me there.

The voice of reason murmured that,
I should jump up and get on the pews,
And stride down and jump onto,
The alter and kneel on the priest's cassock.

The strides I took shook the foundation of the church.
For I landed near the offering plate,
And scattered its contents as heaven
Opened and granted me what I wanted
most.

Why this feat you may ask?
I had to defy the rules of
Heaven and earth to get the
Dollar bill with the one eye,
That was the only one out there,
Before the bride got to it and,
Used it to buy a ring of gold and
Shout 'I do' with a hoarse voice,
Like that of one who was drinking
In the early hours of the previous
night.

Ask me if it was worth it,
Look who wears the golden ring
In this battle of words to the heart?
Now I do not dream of speaking
From on top of the double-decker bus
When I wake up and see it turn the
Corner without me. I have come to
the end for the sign post says so,
and my stilettos need rubbers underneath,
Real proof how tough it was.