small rolly polly
could never get it right
right on the left
left on the right
the shoes look the same
how was he to know
his mother had to help him
she pointed to the toe
the curve of the shoe
at the front of the feet
to tell them apart
he would have to see
left on the right
and right on the left
“no.” his mother said
a sigh in her breath
“curve to the right
it goes on the left
curve to the left
it goes on the right
down at his shoes
rolly polly stared
one on the right
and one on the left
mother turned around
a smile on her face
“you did it rolly polly!”
with a hug they embraced