These shoes, these boots
Begin now to fade from usefulness
Such prosaic things, shoes
Yet, one puns, fundamental

We have walked up Half Dome three times
And together navigated endless miles
In the hills and mountains
Of San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada

And in Sweden, too
Many kilometers of hill and dale and forest,
Berg och dal och skog,
And streets and paths throughout Stockholm

Finding now these streets
Are slippery with melting snow
My feet place themselves more carefully
And I wonder why the caution

My feet and legs know
Before the inevitable truth
Now reaches my consciousness --
My boots are getting too old for this

Yes, the soles are becoming smooth
Yet still clean and firm in countenance
Like the wearer, older and still in the game
But plainly presenting this truth

So I, somewhat sadly
Now wonder how, respectfully and well
(And inexpensively)
To replace these old and worthy friends

The answer will come
In its own time
One should not rush
To replace old with new

01/07/2004

01/07/2004

Author's Note: Reached age 67 today -- Sextiosju (Swedish)-- an odd but prime number.

Posted on 01/07/2004
Copyright © 2026 Ronald A Pavellas