Shoes on the River

We left our shoes on the river
While our toes curled up

Hitched up our dresses
And waded on in

The old women held hands
With the young mothers
While big sisters
Took the hands
Of little sisters
All laughing at how cold
The water
Had already gotten

Our shoes watched us from the shore
Heels raised like eyebrows
Astonished at how bold we'd gotten

But some of us
One of us
One we were too scared to name
Would not be making it
Through the winter

X-rays rang heavy bells
Cats mewled
Friends, too
Clipboards filled with dates and predictions
Databases ravaged for precious information
Precious hope
Possibilities

But even the bravest optimist
Looked on at winter
And felt a looming sense
Of unfinished business

And so the business was picked up instead
By multiple hands
Put in a picnic basket
And brought to the sea
Where it was unpacked
And dealt with
Through tears
Over wine
While children played
Feet away and yet unaware
That this was, in many ways
A momentous occasion

When all was settled
Shoes were removed

Straps undone
Laces untied
Sandals slipped off

It was time for water

We washed off the last of whatever was on us
Into the salt and cold
Wishing it would swim towards the ocean
And bring back news
Of cures
And miracles

But as the day developed
The picture, like the sun, faded
And we walked back
Out of the water
With no news
From the greater ocean
And picked up our shoes

Then, altogether
We dropped them
Right where they were
And walked back to our cars
With nothing but our bare feet

We felt it was something we could do now
With little to no aggravation
Or regret

After all

Who needs shoes
With feet this tough?