Shoes

The most memorable thing about Dan were his
shoes.
They explained his personality perfectly.
High tops-
Black Converse All-Stars.

But Dan couldn't have normal shoes.
What made his shoes so special
was all the writing on them.
He would sit in class, and
when he was inspired,
would take off his shoe and jot a poem
or a witty saying
right on the rubber.

It was a Friday
after school.
I was loading up my backpack.
Our lockers were side by side
(alphabetical by last name. O and P).
I looked down and saw his
shoes.
Gave him a hug,
told him that I loved him
and to have a good weekend.
He hugged me back
and said good-bye.

If I would've known that was the
last thing
I'd ever say to him,
I might have made it something better.
He died that Sunday.

His funeral was the following week.
He was cremated.
At the ceremony,
his mom had a few of his more
notable possessions on the table.
His guitar,
his favorite T-shirt,
and his
shoes.
Still with their sayings.

I can still see him,
reaching down in English class,
Sharpie ready,
a new lyric in his head
that he had to write down
on the rubber of his
shoes.