This Is What Your Pile Of Shoes Reminds Me Of

by Marie Potoczny

When I see your pile of shoes--many pairs kicked off under the coffee table and lying in a heap of laces, I am not thinking to myself how lazy you are and i wish you'd put them away. That's probably what you think I am thinking because you say things like, "I should put my shoes away." Rather, your pile of shoes reminds me of pictures I've seen of Auschwitz--black and white photos featuring bins full of shoes--the wearers of whom have since burnt up--barefoot. I have...loved you...not for your...shoes. I have just loved you. And I don't know how to tell you this: how I love you and grieve you at the very same time. You look at me afraid, like I am mad at you for leaving your shoes in a heap on the floor, and I wouldn't care if you left a thousand heaps of shoes on the floor.