Picean Shoes

i'm not riding the subway now
not the underground train
where one can see the spirit
that carries the souls
most literally
in the footwear of choice

some still hide
in goth wear
how sad it is when others are so
gay and lite!

wouldn't we were all so blithe
like those with
the pretty feet and painted toes
with rings

so eager to show off
those pedicures
the well-off feet
of the well-groomed and cared for
elite

they can wear the pretty shoes
the ones they choose to show their toes
that others hide
in heavy black-topped
boots

Katherine Bandiera
June 7, 2006