Shoes - By: Emily Blackwell

One day I grew out

Of my favorite pair of shoes.

I didn't think it was possible,

To grow out of something I truly loved;

Until I got a new pair of shoes.

They fit a little different.

But I'll grow into them.

Please give a detailed explanation about the meaning and main idea of this poem.

You never think you're ready for something to change, but sometimes it takes a glance back to realize you changed for the better. Your shoes get dirty, but you may not notice until you see them new online. Your face looks the same in the mirror every day, until you find a picture of yourself from not-so-long ago, just long ago enough to see a difference you might not like very much.

Please explain your writing and thought process regarding this poem.

But I felt hopeful while writing this poem, not because I finally put my dislike of change into words, but because I got a new pair of shoes (aka, a new perspective) and realized change has as much power over you as you let it have. It doesn't have to hurt, but sometimes it does, and that's okay too.

Why did you choose to write this poem?

I chose to write this poem, so that I could explain to others and myself that change can hurt, but not letting it affect you can stop it from doing too much damage. Sure, you might see those shoes online, shiny compared to the pair you own, which are tattered and dirty after years of wear. But how much power will you let that comparison, between the new and the old, have over you? Maybe you look into the mirror one morning, and you don't like the face you see. It's still YOU. Who cares if you don't look the same as you did three, or four years ago? You've grown, you're different, you're CHANGING, and guess what? That's okay. It's all part of the process. Like I said at the end of my poem--change fits a little differently now. But you'll grow into it.