Opposing Shoepoints or Two Points of Shoe (you choose)

On By Michele LeeIn Humor, Verse
Stilettos
You’re oh so enticing
lined in a row.
A multitude of styles,
patterns, shapes, and colors.
Where you’ll take me,
my mind explores –
        to the boardroom
        to the dance floor
        to a night of amour

Wanting so much
to scoop you up, slip you on
and slip away –
        to another location
        to a romantic vacation
        to a dream vocation

Then I remember,
that I have several,
just like you at home,
tucked away in a box and
placed on a shelf.
Perfectly fitting for each
of these daydreams.

Until then, I will keep
slipping into comfort
and staying away from –
        joint pain
        back pain
        callouses
        shortened tendons
        sprained ankles
        ingrown toenails

Perhaps it’s a blessing that
my reasons for needing you
are few and far between,
because the results you create
don’t have the same effect
as my daydreams.
A perfectly sensible Heel
In my twenties, I broke you in and I wore you out.
You complemented my professional dress,
always tailor-fitted and perfectly pressed.
My office attire changed when I became a teacher for hire.
To the back of the closet, I sent you and my business suits,
and out came the modest clothes and sensible shoes.
You stood your ground and I found you again and again,
for special occasions and dinner engagements,
which became nonexistent during the pandemic.

It is a new day. The sun is shining, and the weather is warm.
With a sole purpose and mask adorned, I am off to the shoe store
to buy one pair of summer sandals, nothing more.
Browsing the casual aisle, a shimmer catches my eye.
I know what is going on behind my back –
a row of sparkles attempting to attract.
I will pretend to not notice. I will ignore.
I came for summer sandals, nothing more.
My plan was foiled when I looked up.
A reflection, now shining behind and in front.
There is no escape. I am trapped!
Fine! Just one glance. One try. One uplifting dance.

Bedazzled and beguiled, but not convinced, I pass the glittery straps
and grab a look that has less sparkle, but more appeal –
a sleek black heel.
Versatile and sensible still. Right?
A few power strides and I come alive.
My feet did easily slip into this power trip.
I am lifted. This feels good. I will not lie.
Tomorrow, I may (or may not) pay a price.
Today, you are a perfect fit. I give in. You win.

I wasn’t going to try you. I wasn’t going to buy you.
Then, I realized I have a special occasion and I need your look.
The sun is shining on this new day and on this new day, I woke up.
That is special enough.

The first poem, “Stilettos,” was written in early 2020 and is included in my first Being a Woman – Overcoming poetry collection. What began as a one-poem post turned into just one more, after I took an overdue trip to the shoe store. No surprise to my readers, who know I am generous with my words, keeping you from your chores. 😂 The second poem, “A perfectly sensible Heel,” that stepped into my world yesterday afternoon, offers a different shoe point of view (and a bit more fun too). 👠 Thank you for visiting and reading. Be well. 💗 Michele

To honor Mother’s Day coming up in May, our Being a Woman paperback poetry collections are being offered at a reduced price for a limited time. The three collections, created by poet mom (me) and artist daughter (Sammi Lee), are a creative alternative for the traditional expensive Mother’s Day single card. The collections, in their entirety, span all phases of a woman’s life, from a young girl to an elderly departed woman, and others in between. The collections offer reflection, empowerment, historical reference, laughter, wisdom, and guidance. The collections are offered through Amazon and can be accessed by clicking each image, or by searching Michele Lee Sefton on Amazon. Previews and reviews are also available. Enjoy!

Illustration: Being a Woman – Overcoming illustration, created by Sammi Lee Photo 1 and 2: DSW shoe store, my images, perfectly sensible heels 😂

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton.

89 thoughts on “Opposing Shoepoints or Two Points of Shoe (you choose)”

  1. I enjoyed these poems. They reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend earlier this week about shoes, specifically about how our relationships with heels have changed as we’ve gotten older. And what stilettos symbolized in terms of sex appeal, etc. when we were in our twenties. Now, I’d take that sensible heel any day (on the rare occasion I take off my flats). 😉 Again, lovely work!

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. Thank you. It is amusing to think back on earlier choices. Fashion, shoes, and otherwise. 😂 An interesting observation at the shoe store. There were drastically less heels to choose from and several more rows of athletic and casual shoes. The pandemic has impacted our shoe choices too. No need for high heels when working from home and not going out, I suppose. But hey, we only live once… might as well wear a heel around the house. Not for an entire day though, like we maybe once did. 🤣 Thank you for stopping by and leaving your shoepoint. 😉

      Liked by 3 people

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  2. VP

    Great images! Fun poems for sure.
    My heels have been replaced by a orthopedic boot for the past few months; therefore, I can relate to the strain and pain!
    Thanks for keeping the mood light.

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. Thanks, VP. So happy to see you, or read you, here. I am not laughing at your pain, but your comment made me laugh. That is quite a trade! Not a fun one. 😞 Speedy healing to you. 🤗 Happy to share a few lighthearted smiles and shoe styles. 😂 Thanks for being here.

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    1. Thank you for reading my lighthearted look at a fashion statement that can also deliver pain and discomfort. My heels make rare appearances, compared to their starring role earlier in my life. 😄 Best to you. 💐

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. That is too bad, they can be the perfect accessory for the right outfit, but a completed look may not be worth the pain. 👠😢 They are fun (in moderation) and offer a little lift for the height disadvantaged, like me. 😁 Perfect quote for this post. 👏🏻 😂

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  6. I found this really interesting because when I was younger I couldn’t resist buying heels but I couldn’t stand the pain of wearing them for long, so I have a cupboard full of heels that have hardly been worn. Even at my wedding, I ended up dancing barefoot! 😅

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    1. I have my go-to heels for dressy occasions, but I know what you mean. Even my “vintage” heels look new because they do not get a lot of use. Too bad! This has been especially true over the last year. ☹ Barefoot bride – that is funny! I did not dance barefoot at my wedding, but I do almost daily now. 😆 Maybe we should dust off our heels on occasion and dance around the house. Be careful though! 😄

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    1. I am pleased you liked my poems. The second one snuck up on me… in more ways than one, I suppose. 😄 I guess that row of heels spoke to me. With their dwindling numbers at the shoe store, they were looking for an advocate. 😂 Not wearing heels – you are saving your feet, your back, your knees, and your wallet. 😁 Have a wonderful weekend.

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  9. I can identify with all of these “shoes” . My feet and ankles are eternally grateful for my having abandoned them however. But I am many years older than you and so I think you should wear those stilettos now while you can. 😄

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    1. In your vocation, high heels would not be advised. 😄 Safety first! I will wear them more than I have in the past year, but never as much as I did in my younger years. A happy medium. 😀

      Side note: I took some photos of horses/horseback riders in Prescott, AZ last weekend. That was fun! Not as much fun as riding a horse, but still fun. 🐴😀

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      1. Yes boots are the safest. Interestingly though it is safest to wear boots that have a small heel as it prevents your foot from going through the stirrup . This can be bad if you fall off , foot goes through the stirrup and you get dragged. Good to know you enjoyed taking the photos o the horses.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. That is interesting and makes perfect sense. Falling is never good, terrifying in the situation you described. I did enjoy the unexpected photo opportunity along the trail. I saw them at Willow Lake. 😀

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    1. That is awesome, Kym! You are a fashion queen. I am sure you always look amazing when heading out. 😊 I prefer at least a short heel, because I am so short. 😂 Don’t be sorry, they do complement natural beauty. Thank you for enjoying. I made myself laugh at the store yesterday, and then had to come home and write about it. 😆 You would be very proud of me – I am wearing high heels right now. 👠😁 Enjoy your Sunday.

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  13. asumoftheparts

    I love both of these, Michele. Having been a teacher since the age of 21, I never did wear the tall healed shoes (expect perhaps on Sunday to church). During my 26 years of teaching, I just got used to the flat shoes. I love your poems because they bring back my feelings of “shoe-lust”—loving the beautiful stilettos, but knowing they were not destined to ever adorn my feet, Your playful tone allows me to have fun with this life-choice.

    >

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    1. I love that you love both of these. 🥰 I do understand not wearing tall heels in the classroom. I usually wear at least a short heel. They are more comfortable (for me) than flats and give me a little more height, which I definitely needed in a classroom with all of those tall kiddos.😆 Thank you for reading and having fun. 😊

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      1. I did. I feel sorry for the women in heels. I would tell them, be barefoot and allow the feet to breathe. I always like the barefoot ladies. A warm day in Michigan. I need some warmer days to roam to my lake. Lake St. Clair.

        Liked by 2 people

  16. This hit me hard! I love shoes, I have bought shoes and just sat them in my closet to look at lol
    I cannot wear heels anymore and it pains me to no end but it also pains me to wear them! Comfort now is my thing, sadly….

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Hopefully the “hard” hit did not hurt. 😉 Just playing. I understand. I am not much of a shopper for most things, but I do love shoes. I have a hard time letting go of high heels, especially if they are barely worn. 😂 Health and comfort are most important, but I can empathize with how you feel about the pain of wearing and missing a high heel. 👠 Heels would slow you down, out there taking all of those gorgeous photos. 😀

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    1. Thank you. I am glad that my post made you smile. The topic of my poem does seem to evoke either of those feelings, yes. I am enjoying and a bit surprised by the discussion. I love it!

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  20. I am amused by your titling, Michele, and find myself more drawn to opposing shoe-points after ruminating over the tangoing attitude of both poems! Being my short and roundy self, I am afraid heels kill my feet. I want that long stride, but it never comes so I have no stilettos and no heels.

    However, during my trip two years ago to Tucson, I found the most perfect pair of black platform heels in the most perfect size seven. It is an ongoing love affair. There is nothing like a love shoe to make a person feel confident and on top of the world! 🥰
    Nothing like words to capture the feeling too.

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Thank you for noticing! 😉 I had fun with those two titles. Fun play on words by you too. 👠😁 As attractive as heels can be, they are not the easiest to walk in. If I wear them, I have to be able to do that. haha I participated in numerous graduations and chaperoned many high school dances during my teaching days and I have seen my share of too-tall walking and dancing attempts. Heels were not that tall in my day. 😉

      Shoe shopping in Tucson. Nice! Platforms give a nice solid support. I understand your love affair with those. I have some that are probably older than you. 😆 Yes, shoes can lift us up. Thank you for sharing your shoepoints. Fun!

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    1. Thank you for venturing beyond your “guy-thinking” and reading two poems about high heels.😆 I am glad you enjoyed the shoepoints. 😁 Most days, I would rather be enjoying nature than shopping. My brother, on the other hand, is Mr. Fashion. Truly. It is quite impressive. Have a wonderful week!

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  24. Pingback: a Poet Plans a Party (audio) – My Inspired Life

      2. Ha! I am usually a good judge of character, but who knows, the library lizard might be hiding a cold-blooded reptile underneath that adorable welcoming smile. 😆

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    1. Thank you so much for appreciating my tongue-in-cheek humor. 😁 I love the broader perspective you have applied to these high-stepping poems. 👠😄 Have a happy and healthy week!

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