Breaking the Ice

I was once with a boy

Who loved me so much

He stole my shoes

So I could never leave.

And I, defiant

To my own detriment,

Stormed out in socks,

In winter, in knee high snow.

There was a hill I had to climb

To get home, slicked with ice.

It took fingernails and toe nails,

Knees smashing footholds,

All my might to rise above.

And as I stood triumphantly

Skin bright red with effort,

And frostbite burning

Feet in unimaginable pain,

I met my city through

Points of fingers aimed at me,

And staring eyes wondering why

This crazy girl had no shoes.

The boy caught up to me and,

With tears and with shame

I turned back to him for comfort.

Down the hill, away from my city's gaze.

His actions became my sins.

The village cast its stones.

With their help,

I could have walked without shame.

I had already broken the ice.

***

Original written for Survive Zine, published in support of The Walk of No Shame.