Patent Leather Shoes Dance My Song

Patent leather shoes dance my song
They hop and skip, and slide against the sidewalk
I do not care about the cracks or breaking backs.
I am Ginger Rogers, tap tap tap
Fred Astaire is astounded at my dancing prowess
I twirl. I whirl. I am living the 1950's famous dancer duo's life
I am Ginger and I am Fred.
I am whirling and twirling my happiness.

"GET IN HERE IMMEDIATELY!"
It is my mother's voice.
My heart begins beating double time.
I check myself as I walk.
My dress is still clean.
My long curls have not been completely shaken lose
Then I notice all the wet grey speckles on my brand new lacy socks
Uh-oh.
Sunday School starts in ten minutes
And now my twin will be the pretty one.
I will have to wear the plain socks
without the lace

I can tell by my prissy mother's face
That she was not as taken with my 
Whirlish dervish mud puddle dancing
I stick my tongue out at my more-like-Judy-Garland face
after I change into the horrid plain socks
Not dancing now
All whirly-twirly gone.
Died a natural death
Sunday school 
Damn
Place of
Shame

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 5/16/2019 5:14:00 PM
you've captured this memory brilliantly, caren! i love this one...
Login to Reply
Krutsinger Avatar
Caren Krutsinger
Date: 5/16/2019 11:46:00 PM
Thank you Ilene. It was pretty easy. I remember always being ashamed of something at Sunday School thinking I was a big sinner. That is why I threw that in.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Hide Ad