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 
Sometime in the distant past
We’ve made our minds up way too fast
Although later we may reconsider
The earlier thoughts still cling like litter.
Why do wrong thoughts seem to last?
I love your answer. I’m giggling.
Glad you liked it. Loved your poem.
Your poem, Cynthia, tells us that we should not criticize too quickly and remember that we too have sometimes behaved inappropriately. It is wisdom.
Love ❤
Michel
Exactly, mon ami. Merci.
Sent from my iPhone
>
Yes! Once upon a time, we were young and foolish.;)
We are still foolish, n’est-ce pas?
And there’s no fool like an old fool. 😉
Love this,made me remember my last pair of stilettos…1980 something.
Trying to remember mine!
1987 – I admired them in my closet for at least 20 years and then let them go.
Yes, once upon a time! I’ve come to admire clothing I would not wear–and to screen the questions I want to ask–like “Aren’t you freezing?” Who was it who said there is no bad weather, only the wrong clothes”?
Yes!
I love this poem, Cynthia!
Thanks, Clare. A bit of retrospection.
This is great:)
Thanks, Poet-Lady!
What fun Cynthia. I have never understood why people would cram their poor feet into something so utterly ridiculous in the name of fashion. It reminds me of the old Chinese custom of foot binding which left girls unable to walk properly.
I used to wear high heels, but never ones so high. Just as well. I might have fallen out of them!
Nicely done – and powerfully poignant
Sometimes people’s choices make you wonder, but maybe the heels gave her confidence. I recently wore Spanx to give me some confidence and now I’m thinking maybe a baggier dress would do.
Yes. I hear you.
There is a lesson there for all of us!
Indeed, Jo Nell! Big hugs, my friend.
Wonderful poem, Cynthia. I’ve never owned or worn a pair of stilettos…high heels, yes. These fall into their own category…crazy!
Like that. It’s a great sentiment. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. We ask stuff up from time to time. I was thinking that on Saturday as I was driving in the car. We never know what the people around us are carrying that might make them act the way they do.
Cheers
MTM
Oh, so clever and so humane!
Clever, funny and well ‘ the moral of the ditty is, don’t be too swift to judge’. Love it.
Loved the poem, Cynthia! I confess I usually think “idiot” as well, though I am envious of people who can actually walk in those things!
What a DELIGHTFUL way to tell a tale and make a warning with moral ambiguity. I suppose we shouldn’t judge, but you allowed yourself to have fun while coming to that conclusion. 🙂
Yes, indeed, Pam! thanks for your lovely comment.
I could never wear shoes like that. I broke an ankle back in my first year of college, a horseback riding accident.
There’s still something to be said for practicality and planning ahead … check the weather – hello! Carry the stilettos, and put on one’s running shoes until arrival at one’s destination – shoot – we have been doing that since the 80’s!!
You are so wonderfully sensible. Yes!