You could have laces, buckles, zips and tassels
You could be green, blue, black or grey
You could have 1 pair, 2 pairs or 3 pairs too many
But there will always be that one pair
With soles battered but sturdy

Because soles get pierced
Buckles will bend
Laces will fray
And pretty tassels will fall off
But you have proven
In your splendiferous simplicity
That taking care of you
Means taking care of me

You carry my weight without having shoulders
You absorb my tears when my head hangs in sorrow
You cushion me
And I move you
We are a force worthy of note
You fit me like a glove
And I slip into you like Cinderella's enchanted glass slipper

Your sole may be broken
Your tag may be frayed
But you know my paths
and understand the way l dance

And no matter the direction
we will conquer the ground
The grease, the dirt, the rubble of a city, the things that poke and the people that step a bit too ***** nilly

You are my ambition to move forward
Or to run away
You are my chosen ligament
You are the comfort of my toes
Your fabric will rub against my skin as if they were naturally graced upon
 
I have chosen you
You are mine
I will tape you, glue you, wash you and mend you
I will remember to be gentle and precise
I will remove any dirt that stains your sole
And Let's leap into this world Together

Just my soul and yours