The Shoes of Others

Each step was painful
In an unforgiving world;
One in which he felt unable to be his true self,
Preferring to inhabit an alien body
And mind
More to the liking of the world at large.
But wearing someone else’s shoes soon takes its toll
His mind and body blistered,
The fit uncomfortable.
Soon he must decide:
Retreat home and hide,
Or kick ill-fitting shoes aside,
And stride..
Barefoot and unashamed into this unforgiving world?