the shoes

i awake to the first day of the rest of life
i shower to remove the dirt of last night
and the last decade of my life
i get dressed slowly with no mirror
then as always, i go to put them on
but they are not there, i left them behind

they were now a beat up old pair
they had breaks in the soul from years
years of carrying me and making prints
the design was ripping, falling apart
what once seemed bright and exciting
was now dull and uncomfortable

i bought them almost a full year before you
they fit perfect, more than any pair ever had
a pair of shoes to live by, i told myself
as i stood on the dirty street in Germany
more faithful than any person in lm life
but now i realize i left them with you
when i finally walked out last night

i wore them the first time i met you
kicking invisible rocks as i flirted as best i could
they were with me on our first date
they walked you to your door when i was nervous
they pushed the gas petal as we drove
searching for the best holiday lights we could find

they were with me when i first thought i loved you
i stared at them as i contemplated what to do
they walked next to you as i told you i wanted life with you
they were there as i kneeled down to ask you
they helped me stand proud when you said yes
they carried you over the thresh hold the first time

i threw them on the night of our very first fight
they were a constant in a changing world
they took me places i never wanted to go
they sat at the end of our bed as we fought
they were my ride here and my ticket out
i stood in them when i said i couldn't love you

i wore them last night just as i always would
there was no thought to it i suppose
but as things seemed to be coming down
i took them off under the same table i always had
it was our house once, and it may be again
but as the night grew on, i found i was not home

you told me to leave, as i already started to go
i must have thrown on a pair that was still around
one that meant nothing, but got me out quick
i drove off in a hurry, leaving you behind
this was the last time i would see you
but i didn't know i was leaving the memories

i can see them now, under the table
i left us there, at the house with you
they that got me everywhere, that meant something
the one faithful thing, the thing i could trust
now, they are with someone i never could
but i suppose it's all for the best

so i start over today, the first day of the rest
i need to find a new way to step
i can't miss you anymore, only the memories
i must start without you, and without them
i have to find a new path to walk
and i need a new pair to brace me along