"Two Left Feet"
by Chelle Martin
South Amboy, New Jersey

I've always loved shoes since I was a child and recall many a trip with my mom to a store called Slobodien's in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. My favorite shoes and boots were covered in calf-hair like the life-size wild animals that were incorporated into the displays.

At one particular year-end sale my mom purchased a beautiful pair of leather pumps. For one reason or another, they made their way to the back of her tightly packed shoe closet (kept neatly in their boxes). And upon retrieving them to wear in the spring, she found both shoes to be for the right foot!

As months had passed, she had little hope of finding the shoes at the store, but lo and behold, our favorite salesman, George, went to the storage room and returned with a box in her size sporting two left shoes. To this day we laugh about it and are certainly glad the term "two left feet" only pertains to bad dancers.


"Which Came First"
a story by Nancy
Chicago, Illinois

Well, I did it again. I bought a pair of shoes that go with nothing! I shouldn't seem surprised because it's not the first time, nor will it be the last. Occasionally I buy shoes that go with something or everything, but the norm, for me, is to fall in love with a pair of shoes, fear I will never see them again, and buy them. The figuring-out-what-to-wear-them-with comes later.

Later, after I've left them in the tissue paper in the box for a few days, I put them on and walk around the bedroom and bathroom in them. This is when I try on different socks, tights, and hose. At this point, I'm still debating the I-love-them-have-to-have-them against the you-don't-need-them-you-don't-have-anything-to-wear-with-them issue. Actually, as always I don't have anything to wear right now. Once I make the decision to keep them, I know the outfit will evolve. The act of buying the shoes creates a kind of synergy many women experience. Just let them sit in the closet for a few weeks-okay, maybe a year-but soon I will be wearing those orphans with a perfect outfit. Sometimes, I already have the outfit but it needs to be tweaked-just a bit. I change the belt or the earrings and I'm ready to hit the streets.

And why not start with the shoes? Women love shoes and love is a good place to start. I Shoes are an emotional buy. What's logical about a three-inch high stiletto with a black satin ribbon tying around the ankle? No, this is love. This is the shoe that gets you the guy, the best table in the restaurant, the looks, the complements. Maybe--hopefully-- you look five pounds thinner with them on your feet. Try it. Put on black pants and a black sweater. Then take your pick. Want to look sexy? Go with the high-heeled strappy sandal. Be a little more daring and put on the pumps with the ankle strap. No? Then try on a flat ballet-type slipper. I bet you'll feel like putting your hair in a ponytail. You know the drill. You can completely change your look and your personality by changing your shoes.

Now, back to my new shoes. I have wanted (craved) these shoes for ten years. I first saw them on a few women in Manhattan. And each woman who wore them had her own classic, tailored style. I was living in the Midwest at that time and thought I would have that style if only I could get those shoes. There was something unexplainable about the look I wanted, but the shoe made it happen. Every fall I scoured the stores that carried that designer, and I would try on that season's styles.

You know when it doesn't look on you, the same way you perceived it looked on others? That's what happened to me. Until this week! I knew it was now or never. I would never, ever, ever find them again. Remember that I have nothing that looks right with them and they're expensive. But, it's not about the outfit or the money. It's about finally having those shoes. They will give me that classic, stylish look I saw years ago in New York. The outfit will finally happen. Oh, did I mention they're black? To go with my collection of black shoes. But you knew that, too, didn't you?


"SHOES"
a poem by Emelie Zack
Sarasota, FLorida

I never buy a pair of shoes and fail to think that I'll abuse
them by the wear and tear.
But quite the contrary, I dare
to think of all the things that I
Shall do in these new shoes I buy.

I'll dance and sing and read a book.
I'll drive and talk and cast a look.
Perhaps some people shall be met,
for there is nothing I must fret!

In thinking of a pair of shoes
the most outstanding ones I'd say,
turned out to be the greatest fools
for they could not at all convey
the good and bad for me to know
pertaining to a future foe.

I bought them in St. Louie town,
a city of the most renown
for shoes throughout the world.
I gave it quite a twirl
until I met my future friends
a shiny pair of leather shoes.
And even then, one comprehends,
but not that far as went my friends.

They walked and talked and never stopped,
until I almost sat and flopped!
They shopped and stopped and baked a cake
until my nerves begged for a break.

They danced and kicked and twirled around
for they were there to hear the sound
of all the days delight!
They even begged for the nights.

I wore them out one cloudy night
and ran into a bloody fight
between two brutish guys.
Oh boy, I heard the sighs!

They fought and hit and bled and bit
until my shoes got caught and hit
the one brute on the ground.
Oh my, you heard a sound!

How could this be? How could I see
what these new shoes had done?
They put me on the run.
The heels did break, they were fake
and caused me such a price.
They surely were not nice
these shiny pair of shoes
that truly did abuse
me by their wear and tear!

So do be wary when you choose
a pair of shiny lovely shoes!
They could be such a foe
and give you such a go!