As April trees began to sprout forth greenery
and delicate pink blossoms briefly adorned
the early spring landscape
I found a pair of dress shoes I had long forgotten
caked with mud
hidden away in the back of my closet
Carefully, I washed the soft leather
watching clumps of soil, hesitant to let go
slip down the drain
suddenly reminded of a cold November day
with few leaves still clinging to the trees
in a final attempt
to hold onto what must surely wither and die
Remembering how the heels
became dirtied in the first place
I allowed a bit to remain
on the bottom of the left shoe
where no one else could see it
A last tangible reminder
of the muddy ground
where years ago
we buried my father
One Response
🫶 beautiful
Thank you for sharing