A Part of Me

My new shoes are so noticeable
All I can think about is how everyone must be looking at them

I wish I could scuff my shoes
Blend in with the crowd
Forget that I have them on

Throw them away

I cannot change the fact that these shoes are a part of me.
But I can put them away,
Or take them out
Whenever I feel the need to wear them.

So I think I’ll take a walk in these shoes so that I can look at them,
Confident that I will grow comfortable in owning them.

Karen Ruttimann
September 20, 1998