Lost Shoe, 1960s
I wish I had understood
what John the Baptist had meant
about not being worthy
to untie
another’s shoe
when he showed up in new shoes
while we played in a large field
near a river too muddy
to baptize
anyone in
and we grabbed him and held him
until I removed a shoe
which we used as an object
in a game
of keep away
that he grew tired of playing
so someone said get it now
or it goes in the river
and I proved
it could happen.
Once brown water swallowed shoe
we scrambled to get away
and I hid in my bedroom
expecting
divorced mother
who earned tips as a waitress
though she never showed despite
priceless shoes that still haunt me
as I see
her son wear old.
CP
C.N. Bean has published several novels and various stories. He is on the English faculty of Virginia Tech.
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