Old shoes

How many roads have you walked?
You have been walking for so long
Trying paths that no one has ever taken before
Taking breaks in valleys that you never talk about
Crossing dry rivers that you only followed to quench your thirst
Only to find them lifeless

When you walk into homes you leave your shoes at the door
You say it helps you rest your feet
I have seen them swollen, and cracked, and dry
Sometimes you say they burn
You say it’s just fatigue
Even though you stroke them when no one is looking

Even after all these years- a lifetime
I don’t know about the things you wonder about
When you disappear in the middle of a conversation
But I want you to know that I have seen your shoes
And I know, not many can walk in them

I want you to know that it’s ok to rest your feet
Or to tell us that they hurt
And sometimes when the hurt feels heavy
You can tell us where you’ve been, and where you never want to return
Or you can tell us what you miss, and what you’d like to see again

Perhaps we will be brave and walk you there
To these places you never talk about
Perhaps not
But I want you to know your shoes are big, and strong and worn out from bravery
Not many can walk in them