A poem I wrote about my husband's old boots. They sit in our basement, where each day I take a glance at them and remember the good old days, when life was just a dance. He has not even worn them now in the past 20 years, but I cannot bring myself to throw them away. We have moved a few times in the last 20 years, but those old boots seem to find their way into our belongings.


Your Father's Old Boots

There was a pair of old boots way back in the closet
Each time I wondered what exactly was it, that made
me hold on to something so worn,
The heels were worn down and the shine had all gone.

So often to the closet I would bring a bag.
"This time those old boots are gone," I would say.
"They are worn, they are old, no more any good,"
then I would tear up the bag as I knew that I would.

I am holding on to memories of so long ago
when those boots danced me gently across the dance floor.
Yesterday I moved those boots to the basement below
they sit on the floor, not to be worn anymore

Each time I descend the stairs I take a glance
I swear I can see those old boots in a dance.

It's a waltz, it's a jive, slow dance and then,
I see him and I when we danced back then.
When we danced to the music of "Old cotton-eyed Joe"
and he told me how much that he loved me so.

The years have slipped by now our children have grown
many a time we sit here alone,
each in their memories, not a whole lot to say,
I rise from my chair and I make my way
to the basement I go and I sit on the stairs
for I am sure those old
boots are calling me here.
The old boots say we need to talk, not dance as we once did
for no matter how old you are there is a desire to live.
Love each other as you did when in your youth,
when you danced the night away in this pair of old boots.

Leave now. Let me rest, for 30 years I have done my best
I have taken you high, you took a chance.
I have led you on through many a dance.
Like you it is time to say goodbye.
Don't cry,
let me go back to my old roots
when I was leather and rubber
and not an old pair of old boots.


Rosemary Hancock, nee Smith
Formerly of Stephenville, NL
Grew up in Point au Maul   Submitted By: NULL