A Body of Work #1
Pity the feet of those lost
shoes, red & cracked.
A “no-sit” rule will make them
stand, lean, slouch, cower
shuffle and shout in too big
or too small slippers, detached
from humanity, slogging in
haphazard orbits of failing falls.
My mother grabs her toes
says she will cut them off.
My grandmother grasped
her knuckles and asked for
a sharp knife, reminding me
that at least her feet didn’t
hurt, she lived at home, she
was able to live by herself.
Her toes were claws, long
hard bits of calcified flesh
like a tiny jagged hooves.
Medicare will tend the nails
but who will drive the car,
carry her over steps, lift
her in and out. Who makes
pedic-calls, Heels-on-wheels
for the infirm. Who washes
the feet of the filthy street
walkers who wrestle for dimes?
The horse lady sits next to me
in the pedicure spa, delighted
by her stained soles. The shy
Vietnamese woman takes her
narrow foot in hand and plies.
- One of my Momentiles, taken last fall at Maryhill Museum
* * *
A free-write that goes too far and not far enough for because of the crazy inventive ladies of October, who have given a one week challenge.
Be warned. Six more of these are on the way.
Related posts:
I wonder if this means anything – but I was gonna do “toes” in a day or two myself. This poem is a big carousel, yes, but I feel yet a desire to see more of the painted horses here. In a good way, I mean.
And this makes me remember too, my mother’s toes! A nice poem for creating interest. It grows on me (pardon)!
If this is the initial offering, I can hardly wait to see what you have next.
I snickered at the clever “Heels-on-Wheels” and realized that it suited perfectly the situation. It would also work in other settings as well, and mean something totally different.
what a pithy poem you’ve written. it’s great. i too liked heels on wheels. you’ve a great writer’s mind. have a wonderful night.
My heart leaped for the poor woman pedicurist… oh, their job is so… well, I wouldn’t want to have it.
And great “What’s up?” with Medicare, poetically pleading. Loved it.
Yall are awful kind.
Wonderful, Deb!
I liked what you accomplished here, Deb, especially the third stanza…it could nearly stand alone.
I may split these up, expand, in a real version sometime. Thanks for the comment.
so glad you’re joining us!!!!
a foot poem that’s about so much more than feet. i feel there’s a whole world of characters here and we get such insights into some of their issues in such a small space. good work!
I thought it might be too much, all those things, but I couldn’t help it. :-) (I love this prompt!)
Yes, there is so much more than feet here. Re: aging parents and feet, you couldn’t be more accurate. My father’s feet, when he was in for surgery last year (or is it two now?) what a sight. My mother was shocked. Shocked.
I love the world you have tuned into here. Can’t wait to read more.
Thanks, Jill. You’re so kind to read through them all.