My Faithful Shoes.

My good old shoes, it’s time that we part, Although it will nigh break my heart; You have offended me so, just the other day, A new home you must find—shall I throw you away? ’Twas a short time ago, a friend came to call, I was out on the lawn, with the children playing ball; I begged her excuse me, just one little minute, She said, please don’t dress, fifteen minutes is my limit. I was so humiliated, how much I cannot say, For I had decided this should be your last day; With a knife I had split you on either side, When I went to the door, my feet I would hide. True, you are full of comfort, we’ve been such good friends, Even if the heels are down at both ends; She stayed and she stayed, I didn’t know quite what she said; For you, old shoes, kept running around in my head. Finally she bade me adieu; I went to the back door, I flung you away, I don’t want you more; How untidy I looked; I was ready to drop; I’ll put on the new ones, I bought in the shop. And sat down to rest and read a new book, Oh, how they did hurt, and how cross I did look; When my husband came home, I was all in tears— What’s the matter, you’re older at least, by ten years. I had to explain the cause, for nerve I had none, I believe my heart stood still, I saw only one; The new ones did not prove good friends, I declare, After a few hours I looked for you there. Down in the garden, did anyone see Me pick up my shoe, under the old apple tree? I wiped you off tenderly and put you on; Oh, where is the other, I fear it is gone. To our Collie dog, Bruno, I said, can you tell Me where my shoe is?—and waited a spell, Then back he came prancing, in his mouth was my shoe, I was so glad to see you—none but myself knew. I must say to you dears, how I wore you with pride, The day that we called on the beautiful bride; And down the aisle, in the church, when the bells rang, And the choir their heavenly hallelujahs sang. When we crossed the Atlantic, Europe to see The wonders, then truly you were good to me; For we walked in the mornings, late into the nights, You gave me much pleasure in seeing the sights. But somehow or other, since that terrible day, That such mortals like me should be made of mere clay; It near breaks my heart in sorrow to lay, You away in a corner, a short time to stay. There’s nothing like ease, away with your style; I prefer to laugh, to sing, and to smile; Old shoes, you’re my friends, you’ve been tried, you are true, And I hope, for a while, to still stand by you.