On Borrowing Shoes

Nobody loves caterpillars, except children and teachers of young children. Caterpillars, to a gardener, are creepy crawly and they demolish leaves at ninety miles an hour. But – do they wear shoes?

ON BORROWING SHOES

my caterpillar friends
keep their shoes lined
up on fallen tree trunks

the milkweed prefer
lime-green loafers
while the speckled wood
wear pink sandals
that don’t have to be shined
every second day

I’ve seen tent caterpillars
hide black dress shoes
in corrugated cabinets
behind school walls
where teens stub out
reefers at recess

I try to leave the shoes
alone don’t borrow
them for a night or two
it’s a temptation when
the colours are perfect
for the opera or a date
with a five-star general

The Willow Tree Girl “… perfect for children in the 7-11-year-old bracket who love to read. …The characters are life-like and the plot intriguing …” Elizabeth Symon. Find it at Smashwords

About Joanna M. Weston

Born in England, she is now living in Shawnigan Lake, BC. She is married to Robert, an accountant, and they have three sons, Andrew Jon Mark ... and two cats, Alice and Chaucer. Joanna has an MA from the University of British Columbia. She has published in numerous anthologies and in magazines in Canada, the US, UK, and New Zealand, such as Canadian Women's Studies, Convolvus, Endless Mountains Review, Grain, Green's Magazine, Prairie Fire, Spin, Wascana Review, CBC Gallery, and many more... Clarity House Press has published several of her chapbooks including: Berry and the Birthday Band (2010) One of These Little Ones (1987) – out of print Cuernavaca Diary (1990) – out of print Seasons (1993) – out of print Watch-night (2005) – out of print

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2 Responses to On Borrowing Shoes

Terence T. Miranda says:

July 8, 2015 at 9:34 am

I like it!

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2015 11:56:28 +0000 To: terencetmiranda@hotmail.com

Joanna M. Weston says:

July 8, 2015 at 9:39 am

Thank you:-)