As we stepped out into the rain
I looked down at the ground again
And saw her thin stiletto heels
And thoughts went round my mind like wheels
*
“Spring rain!” I smiled, instead of what
My mind thought, which was: “Id-i-ot!”
As she walked dainty by my side
And went on out to catch a ride
*
*
She grumped and sighed and made a pout
At weather we’d been warned about
She looked down at her thin wee dress
About to turn a soggy mess
*
She looked down at her silly heels
That would have paid for many meals
And turned to me and fussed again
And said a rude thing ‘bout the rain
Perhaps my thoughts would have been kind
If she’d been humbler in her mind
About the wind and rain we faced
Instead of acting so disgraced
*
If she’d admitted her sheer folly
For dressing up like some vain dolly
This day when all the forecasts said
Take care outside or stay in bed
*
But as I stopped and hit “rewind”
The thought that came into my mind
Was that I should have been more bold
And said: “It’s spring! Expect the cold
*
“Expect the wind and rain and fog
And dress for it; you’re just a cog
In Nature’s wheel, so take a pill
And dress yourself to meet the chill!”
*
But then I had an awful thought:
Were there times when I too had bought
Such crazy stuff to wear outside
And then blamed weather, not my pride?
*
Back when I had more cash than brain
Did I throw money down the drain
On things that mattered not a whit
Back then – was I, too, such a twit?
*
Back when I was a TV “star”
And thought that I had come so far
And had to look and dress the part
So this would set me well apart?
*
I felt a twinge of something then
At how judgmental I had been
How quick I’d been to so opine!
And took “some water with my wine”.
**
Cynthia Reyes 
I am never quite sure whether to be critical or in awe of those who ignore the weather and dress as they please. 😉
Haha….
Dressing a part is not the same as vanity! I got a chuckle and smile from your poem. Thanks.
Thanks, Aggie, for the consolation!
Love your poem. Reminds me of an idiot who had to take off her suede-trimmed jacket, turn it inside out and hug it tightly while running through the pouring rain to her car.
Now, was that idiot me?
Although, I’d only have thought of turning the jacket inside out AFTER it got too wet!
(Big smile)
I enjoyed this whimsical poem. Had a chuckle as it’s so vividly described, Cynthia. Lovely, more to come … ? Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
‘Whimsical’ is a good word!
I have not worn heels since the seventies, I am not even sure I would know how to walk in them anymore, but now and again it actually would be quite nice, however at nearly 6 foot and spending most of my life in gardening boots, my feet have changed shape.
Hi Julie:
The truth is that I admire people who can walk in them without falling over….. which is not me (smile).
Yes – maybe it’s also a gardener thing – we get used to sensible shoes that can handle the mud and dirt!
I think that most of us have worn unsuitable clothes/shoes at some time in our lives – usually when we were younger! I remember having the most fabulous pink and see-through plastic high-heeled shoes with peep-toes (they sound horrible now!) in about 1979 and wearing them to work despite there being snow on the ground. I suffered with chilblains for weeks afterwards.
And rightly so, we say now, years later when we are ‘wiser’.
I had yellow patent-leather, sling-back shoes that I wore every chance I got.
And I expect you looked fabulous in them too!
I nearly fell out of them a few times!
P.S. I forgot to say how much I enjoyed your poem!
Thank you!
One day we’ll read one of yours – no matter what your daughter says!
Ha ha ha! Oh dear, what a thought!
I tend to be wrapped up in all weathers, I get very cold very easily… either that or I end up wearing about five outfits each day, as the weather changes. Definitely best to be comfortable though.
cheers
MTM
I hear you. At this time of year, I’m never sure what to wear, so I layer, just in case.
Layers are definitely the way to go. And those trousers you can zip the bottoms off to make them into three quarter lengths and the middle bit off to make them into shorts.
Cheers
MTM
Never tried one of those, although I’ve seen other people in them. Maybe this summer.
Your lovely and quite thought provoking poem gave me a good laugh. I needed one. Thanks so much, Cynthia. I was probably that idiot on more than one occasion in the past. 😀
Oh, me too!
Thanks for liking it and for commenting.
Reblogged this on Cynthia Reyes – Author and commented:
Your smile for today….
Oh I love this so much! I’ve definitely been on both sides of this. Thank you for a fun start to the morning!
Its funny how quick we forget our own foibles. Wonderful reminder in poetic form.
Someone described your poem as whimsical, I agree! Being 5’2″ I have been known to prefer heels but stilettos will not do at this age. Any heels must be sturdy (thick?) and no slick soles in case I need to run! Have a good weekend!
Enjoyed this, Cynthia. Brought back memories of long ago when it was so important to be in style. I never wore heels but we wore those awful, pointed toe flats with bare legs, in rain and snow…. Nowadays it’s all about comfort!
Your words made me smile – and brought back memories of a certain mini-skirt on an early winter day many years ago and legs aching from the cold… Now that one was pure vanity, something I like to think I have outgrown. Or at least that the more obvious signs of vanity have now been overtaken by practicality. Thanks for the pictures your words created in my mind and the memories they brought back!
This did make me smile Cynthia! We have a reputation in this part of the UK for not wearing many clothes, even in freezing temperatures, it’s a ‘Geordie’ thing – though I stress I’m well beyond wearing stilettos and I wrap up warm when I need to!
Such a lovely, meaningful reflection Cynthia. ❤
Ha ha is it fashion, or vanity or both? Good to know I ditched my stilettos 😃
Ahhhh … brings back days working in business in NYC. Who cared for a few (or many) raindrops – high heels were the look! (And we had to all have it, didn’t we?) But then … it’s so easy to have moved on to comfy shoes and look at today’s stiletto wearers and criticize. I’d be taking a little of that watered wine right with you, Cynthia! 🙂