Free and clear to buy at the mall,

clothes for school and clothes to look good,

but what I need most is a really cool heel,

in a boot is best when I find the right deal.

.

There the heels are standing perfect and tall,

on the stand in the window at my favorite mall,

and they have them in my size and are a perfect fit,

I admire them as I walk and admire them as I sit.

.

I shell out the dough so happy and pleased,

I’d skip if three boys weren’t watching from Sees,

I wave at my friends, we meet for a coke,

and eventually leave because we’re all really broke.

.

My mom, the fashion queen herself, I grab and say,

look what I got shopping at the mall today,

I pull out the heels and there’s a gasp of horror,

take them back she says, those heels are a terror.

.

My mouth drops open and I cavil and whine,

but her words limit and she won’t allow mine,

so back to the mall, my mother drags me,

my cheeks pink and I’d really like to flee

.

These shoes, mom says, are not for my daughter,

she’s far too young and this is not how I’ve taught her.

The clerk avoids my eyes as I avoid his,

then my mom picks the new pair that are really a fizz.

.

Nun shoes, I think, as I turn them on their sides,

my lip hangs down as I find they fit like clyde

the clydesdales cloppers, big and ugly and old,

why does my mom think I’ll ever wear them like I’m told?