Fine footwear

American Life in Poetry

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There is, of course, no hid­den chap­ter in the ​“Good Book” that explores san­daled Jesus’ fash­ion rules, but Cor­nelius Eady in ​“East­er Shoes” is being fun­ny and dead­ly seri­ous. The poem takes him back to child­hood, to the pains of con­for­mi­ty and the forced obe­di­ence of being ​“dressed,” ​“encased” and ​“pinched” into decen­cy. ​“East­er Shoes” cel­e­brates the petu­lant act of cre­ative rebel­lion that he achieves by scuff­ing the imprac­ti­cal shoes while main­tain­ing the ​“mirage” of obedience.

Easter Shoes

In a hidden chapter of the Good Book, 

Is there a verse that explains 

Why Jesus cares for fashion, 

Why my feet must be encased 

And pinched? When you’re a kid, 

It’s how someone else dresses you; 

You won’t grow into these black, shiny 

patents, as much as your mother 

Wants it. On the way to Sunday school, 

You are a mirage, like the new store shine 

You scuff, as you obey.