Ron Padgett: "Inaction of Shoes"

There are many things to be done today
and it's a lovely day to do them in

Each thing a joy to do
and a joy to have done

I can tell because of the calm I feel
when I think about doing them

I can almost hear them say to me
Thank you for doing us

And when evening comes
I'll remove my shoes and place them on the floor

And think how good they look
sitting? . . . standing? . . . there

Not doing anything

"Inaction of Shoes" by Ron Padgett, from How Long: Poems (Coffee House Press, 2011). Reprinted by permission of the poet and the publisher.

Art credit: "Shoe Portrait," still life drawing by RenEscar.