More Poetry

John's Red Sneakers
(a pantoum for terrie)

I tried, but could not throw those shoes away.
They'd made you jump so high and run so fast.
He beat me then he begged that I would stay.
I knew, for you, I'd make this marriage last.

They'd made you jump so high and run so fast.
It was because of them you won or lost.
I knew, for you, I'd make this marriage last;
You'd have a Dad no matter what the cost.

It was because of them you won or lost.
They took you to the moon, the sun and Mars.
You'd have a Dad no matter what the cost.
He's not sick, he spends too much time in bars.

They took you to the moon, the sun and Mars,
And made five-year-old feet go fast or slow.
He's not sick; he spends too much time in bars.
I knew, for you, I'd have to make him go.

They made five-year-old feet go fast or slow.
You wore them through the summer while you learned.
I knew for you I'd have to make him go;
Your child respect for him was crushed and burned.

You wore them through the summer that you learned
He beat me then he begged that I would stay.
In my mind I saw them crushed and burned.
I tried, but could not throw those shoes away.

Ellen Rae
(c)1985