Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHOES by JOHN COWPER POWYS

First Line: I HAVE A PAIR OF NEW SHOES
Last Line: "THEY ARE NICE. THEY HAVE LOW HEELS."
Subject(s): SHOES; SOUL; STARS; TEARS; BOOTS; SNEAKERS; SHOEMAKERS;
"I have a pair of new shoes.
They are nice. They have low heels."
So her letter says, and the brief words bruise
My soul and break deep seals.

It is strange! I have talked with her
Of the wistful tears of things;
Of the earth and the gods and the thoughts that stir
The soul, as a wave-tossed voyager
Is stirred by the touch of wings.

But nothing of all I said
Of the gods and the fatal sky,
And the magical stars that over each head
Go heavy with destiny,
Had half such power to bruise;
Or break such world-deep seals,
As, "I have a pair of new shoes.
They are nice. They have low heels."



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