you walked in my shoes

they didn’t fit

you tripped

you fell

you walked on

pulled yourself up

you crawled for a time

sat for respite

blisters scalded

oozed and healed on heels

and toes

they didn’t suit

but you insisted

you would wear them in

take my place

take my man

my son and daughter

and now you cry

and don’t know why

he left you for another

big shoes to fill

it’s not you

nor is it I

it isn’t her

we that cry and rail

are not to blame

it’s he that seeks a wearer

of ill-fitting choices

lies to himself

and us