Black Stiletto Boots

Ego put on a short skirt and knee high black stiletto boots

Ran her black stiletto nailed fingers through the corridors of her sweeping hair

Looked in the mìrror at fluttering stiletto eyelashes

Smiled at the applause

And stuck her red tongue out

The mirror cracked

Ego laughed

Reached for a feather boa

Flung it around her neck

And waited

The cowering child hovering inside took a tentative peep

Don't be scared hissed ego

You can't believe everything they say

I'm not all bad

The child closed her eyes, took a deep breath and an enormous leap

Everything scattered into a million pieces

The sound of jazz burst into the air

Each piece grew little legs

And pulling up its stiletto boots began to dance to the beat

Some pieces danced alone, others in pairs

The trumpets, clarinets and saxophones

They grew legs and danced along too

To the frenetic sound of their own music

Saucepans and books

Acorns and razor blades

Joined the crew

The child looked on

Eyes wide

Ego stretched out an arm

Its black opera glove

A carpet to carpe diem

The child hesitated

Will I lose myself forever?

No, whispered ego

Not if you keep your eyes and heart open

Allow everything to pass through you

An ambulance waltzed by

Clicking its boots

Don't stand alone on the side

Life will pass you by

But what if my body gets tired?

Ego sighed

Then take your boots to the cobbler

Retire for a while in the inner jungle of your hidden smiles

Bathe in rippled waves of stillness until you feel the music call

Then put on your black stiletto boots

And join the dance once more