The many streets I've walked
the days that have passed
I never wanted to change my shoes.

Each step was like a small trophy
although the pavement would
steal a little bit of my soul.

Maybe I was bitter towards this fact,
but really it was giving my soul
character.

As the shoes grew weaker
the more misshapen I had become
in the best possible way.

One day it started to rain.
My shoes did nothing to protect me.
I resented them.

As I got home and took them off
to toss them in the corner of my room.
I held onto the tattered laces.

Tracing the weaved pattern I made
when I first laced them.
Remembering what I could of what they've seen.

A slight catharsis came over me.
I gently put them side by side
and slid them under my bed instead.

Tomorrow a new pair of shoes
with new laces
to start a new journey,

but never forget the tattered laces of past shoes.