What did you expect ? The bolts were here,
and nuts in this battered box. Books too
and some old tunes in obsolete formats.

The shoes that were supplied, were scuffed
and oversize but you had no idea, did you ?
You threw them away before you figured

that flesh did not come with the package.
You were left with a soulless, blinking thing
unable to lead you to higher ground.

The shoes were for you to try walking first.
Then to do it again and again, day after day
until your feet learned the shape of words.


Tony Noon