It's Still Life

Take a Walk in a Woman’s Shoes

My feet protest,
these shoes they detest.

I’d described it as
      having a wounded second skin,
      invisible damage, but
      getting through the day
      with a smile.

You can pretend to be mean
with keys tight between
your fingers.
      Ready to cut and run.
      Ready when someone
                    emerges like a shadow.

Take a walk in our shoes,
in a carpark. In the dark.

Am I allowed
to hear my alarm bells ring,
and protest
when I feel unsafe.

Sometimes I hear myself
humming in my head.
A happy song.

I have no appetite
for these shoes.

Miz Quickly’s 10th August words include: Shoes. Mean. Second. Protest. Allow. Described. Emerge. Cut. Appetite. Photo by Molly Blackbird on Unsplash. Shared with@Miz_Quickly and #APoemADay on Twitter   ©Misky 2021