.JPG)
Image: Red Shoes, Prada
Source: Wikimedia Commons (here)
Placed at an unflattering position on the body
Source: Wikimedia Commons (here)
Placed at an unflattering position on the body
But extending a service so noble, what an irony
But wait, man or rather woman had it all worked out
Make it look good, make it look current in fashion
A bee-line to well known shoemakers and be part of the crowd
Royals and celebrities for the same quality brand
To be a regular at Jimmy Choo’s
Princess Di before and others with fashion sense
Princess Di before and others with fashion sense
Considered to have arrived with such shoes
Announced as as one of Jimmy's clients
Announced as as one of Jimmy's clients
But wait again! It served its purpose for what was
intended
One just cannot ignore, for it was meant also for protection
Of bare and dainty feet against the vagaries of nature tendered
Heat and cobble-stones and in sports of various
extractions
As an accessory in dressing and finery of elegance
At the work place with steel tips as shoes of safety
At the work place with steel tips as shoes of safety
But man being man had refused to forget its lowly position
Essentially it relates to the cultures of many societies
Sitting with the soles facing someone in front is
insulting
Having one thrown at you is worst, and that happened since
To a President no less
Feelings of hate to be addressed
Feelings of hate to be addressed
This happened when shoes were generously thrown
to vent their anger and frustrations
At Saddam’s falling statue as it was pulled down
to vent their anger and frustrations
At Saddam’s falling statue as it was pulled down
by none other than its own citizens
Treat it well, with acts of
love so refined
Treat it with respect, it then stays at the feet
Treat others with disrespect then one may just find
it flying at one’s face to even out a dictator's misdeeds
Written for Shanyn's hosting at d'Verse with Poetics: A mile in these shoes
Written for Shanyn's hosting at d'Verse with Poetics: A mile in these shoes
Interesting reflection on shoes, Hank. Made me stop to think how shoes are used symbolically.
ReplyDeletei dont know that i knew that about the soles facing someone...intriguing fact...i remember the throwing of the shoe from when that man threw one at an ambassador...i def respect my shoes...i need them...i am on them all day....smiles.
ReplyDeletethis was subtle, in the way that posture can insult.
ReplyDeleteWell that nice bit of a tribute to the shoe, so worn down but indeed always takes us somewhere. Interesting and enjoyable read! :)
ReplyDeleteI love all the details you have provided about shoes. I shall avoid acting in a manner that someone will throw a shoe at me, hopefully. That would be most unpleasant. Smiles. An interesting post, Hank.
ReplyDelete... and it's also important to make sure the shoes fit correctly.
ReplyDeletelol you know you ticked someone off when you get a shoe thrown at you
ReplyDeletewow! you brought it all about the shoes. They are so much protecting us and yes they dese.rve respect
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd like a shoe thrown at me..nor would I enjoy
ReplyDeletesomeone using their shoes to walk on me..I prefer to just
travel in my own shoes..Hank always a thoughtful response
to the prompt. Hope you have a good day...
Cool write, Hank. Made me remember Krushchev banging his shoe on the table and shouting some years ago........
ReplyDeleteApparently it was not the shoes he was wearing. He bought an additional shoe, just one shoe, not even a pair. But he got the attention from the impact of anger shown.The story goes that he was not even angry but feigned anger. Didn't know how far it was true!
DeleteHank
well as you said, if you get someone that mad at you to throw a shoe, when he could throw anything else, then you should reconsider your actions.
ReplyDeleteAh very nice references - the throwing of shoes as a political act, I think you got Imelda Marcos at the end to.. Shoes are important
ReplyDeleteah nice.. very cool on bringing some shoe symbolism in as well... and yeah..what a change from the solely feet protecting role to fashion symbols...
ReplyDeleteSuch essential protection made into a weapon or a fashion idiosyncrasy. An interesting example is the espadrille... a raffia and cloth basic shoe sold in the local markets here in Spain and was the standard wear of the campesino (peasant who worked on the land) in summer and winter.... those who could not afford them went barefoot. Now these shoes are bought by tourists as trendy beach shoes and souvenirs.
ReplyDeleteThis poem was truly food for thought, and took me many places. Well done! An enjoyable addition to the Poetics this weekend. Thanks so much for joining in.
ReplyDeleteWhat an irony indeed. Beautiful
ReplyDelete