Vincent van Gogh – Shoes (1888)
My old companion is a pair of sandals I use with my Sari and Salwar-Kameez. I can’t recall when I brought them home. All I know is that they have stuck with me through thick and thin. They are as sweet as my ageless home flip flops and the boot. They smile at me and never feel abandoned when I neatly keep them on a little shoe-rack and walk barefoot in extreme heat. Neither do they feel forsaken when I have to wear my boot on the uneven Himalayan path for they are certain that I will always return to them. These omniscient pairs know of my Achilles heel unfit for stiletto. They know my fear of Falling from Grace of a still unscathed body. They are aware of my ambitionless soul to raise myself a bit higher. They also know how tied I am to my comfort zone of old, unbroken and never failing friendship.
in storms and rains
not a soul by your side
but old friends
Posted for Susan’s Midweek Motif ~ Shoes @ Poets United
sumanar/lekha 
“fear of Falling from Grace of a still unscathed body”
Every line really! This hits me, who also learned to surround myself with old friends.
Whereas I know change is what is, I prefer the familiar who know me as well as I know them. I love how this poem personifies the sandals.
Wow.. this and the previous haibun on hometown ..both excellent Sumana, you’re rocking the form.
Oh, I love the thought of shoes as old friends!
This is so sweet Sumana. Made me look at my favorite shoes from a different perspective.
Yes, my sole pair of actual shoes are at least ten years old and now are leaking. But they have carried me so far! Loved this, Sumana. I have never worn heels……I would have been an utter cartoon had I ever attempted it, lol. Ms Magoo on stilts.
Wow. I am learning so much about you my friend.
This is amazing…
Lovely haibun Sumana . Happy Wednesday
Much love…
Tried, tested and true old friends indeed. Beautiful haibun😊
A lovely haiku to end a satisfying haibun about your sandals, Sumana. It’s a relief to find comfortable footwear that becomes an old friend.
Isn’t it strange how much we love our clothes, shoes especially. It is as though we trust our lives with them, which of course we do. Even when I have to buy a new pair I am still loath to throw away the old as they have trod my path faithfully with me fo several years! I really loved your haibun.
Excellent haibun! They may not speak but they know how to comfort.
I have a pair of shoes so worn and patched and re-patched that they are no longer wearable. But I just can’t bear to throw them away. They are “old friends.”
kaykuala
how tied I am to my comfort zone of old,
unbroken and never failing friendship.
It would be so nice to have a functional friend around, rain or shine!
Hank
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
I love where you have taken the prompt Sumana.
I think my shoes know me too, as I know them. My most comfortable not stylish at all, but no matter, I feel safe in them. In cold weather, when snow and ice on the ground, I turn to my boots that really don’t support my ankles well, nevertheless I need their firm grip to stop myself falling.
When possible, I prefer barefoot, oh the pleasure of walking on warm grass.
Anna :o]
there is nothing quite like the faithful and well worn, companionable shoes that so gently cradle and protect – more or less – in comfort and stalwart wearing. There is nothing better, other than walking barefoot.
This was lovely 🙂
Worn-in comfortable shoes – how like a good friend they are!
Sweet…and comforting in a way…!