Brown Shoes--
Slightly gathered in the toe
with fringe on top,
tassles too!
-tiny holes in the linings’ sole.

Brown shoes
(the SAS brand)
Purchased at the Boise store--
I was with her
that first time… 

Like a little girl
in a candy shop—
Her eyes lit up
when they slipped the shoes
on her slightly in-turned toes.

She smiled that smile
that made her blue eyes
twinkle
as she said,
“I’ll take three pair!”

She chose
maroonish hued,
a bone tone,
and Brown…
(The Brown ones were my favorite!)

Mom bought the shoes
to keep her feet
from hurting all the time.
They never left her toes,
unless…she was sitting in her chair.

In nyloned feet,
with a dress above,
she wore those simple shoes
to garden and to clean,
to worship and to work…

Those old brown shoes
walked many miles
in service to us kids.
They are, to me, a symbol
of her devotion to family.

I have upon my bathroom floor
a simple pair of shoes-
They are brown
and slightly gathered,
right above the toe…

(I bought my pair in Boise too,
but at the Wal-mart
down the street)--
An imitation of my mother,
and her remarkable feats.

Every time I see those shoes,
strewn careless on the floor-
My heart sk-i-d--s,
and my eyes tear up
as I remember Mama’s feet….