The Red Shoes.
RED SHOES
Five years old, and all I want in life
is a pair of bright red shoes,
but mummy says I am far too young
to be allowed to chose.
So, black it is, for everyday
and white to wear on Sunday !
At least I can have my dreams,
I’ll have the red shoes - one day.
Ten - and Santa Claus has left an oblong
box with the message “Happy Yule”,
it just has to be red shoes ? No - dull,
uniform brown for grammar school !
Older - I join a dancing class,
surely now I will have red shoes?
No - the chorus all wear black,
only soloists get to choose.
So I tapped, I jazzed, and I jeted.
I worked at every kind of dance
then, with a production of “Hunchback”
at last came my big chance
with the role of Esmeralda. A
solo. That meant that I could choose ?
Not really - for she was a gypsy
and she didn’t wear any shoes !
Now - here I am at last,
a serene smile upon my face.
Flowers braided in my hair,
dressed in cream satin and fine lace.
Surely now, at least, my choice
of red shoes would be allowed ?
No - it seems that white socks
are all one wears beneath a shroud !
© July 2021