Poem 120

Observed in a shoe shop but not by me I think – Jill told me about it …

( I like the image of the girl as queen … kingdoms offering gifts … she’s going to grow into her own power … )

At School They Call Her Sasquatch

She's going to sail away on these feet
   these mens size elevens
like biscuit mix spread too far
on the baking tray

   she's only fourteen
            ballet is definitely out
and this shoe shop
her mother drags her into
is like any torture room anywhere
  lights bright and cheerful
    on the leather
assistants tackling her as a professional
challenge

sat in the chair
with all the boxes open
around her
            kingdoms
offering gifts she wants
to die

       but those feet
only grip the earth
                     more firmly