These Old Shoes

I was never in a hurry to grow taller.

Some, they wear boots with big heels,

Racing to the next line on the wall.

But those big boots trip and cause them to fall.

In a story my father read me,

A tall, tall tree said to me,

"Do not be hasty."

So, I tied tight my laces and take small steps.

Time is strapped to my wrist,

It's heavy and turns my hands to a fist,

So some days I take it off.

I skip instead of walk,

And my forehead creases go soft.

I was never in a hurry to grow taller,

It's such a relief to be smaller.

There my perspective is set,

On things right and true and probably blue.

Blue like the sky

Blue like my papa's tie

Blue like the water

I find joy in being simply a daughter.

I was never in a hurry to grow taller.

The view is better from down here,

I better understand things when I am near.

I was never in a hurry to grow taller,

But here I am, I fear.

I've grown taller, despite my attempts,

But don't you worry,

I remember the story.

My shoes have no extra inches,

I earned my height naturally.

These shoes they are worn and trustworthy,

And in them I learned the secret to work hard

And the much forgotten, play hard.