Blue Shoes

She buys shoes she can’t afford. She buys them with money she has and money she doesn’t have. She hides the bags in closets. Some boxes are under her bed. Some receipts come loose from her pocket in the parking lot and float away. She has high-heeled shoes for occasions she will never be invited to. Sandals for days when she doesn’t feel herself, when the weather is too warm for the Midwest.  Moccasins for inside the house, and slippers for driving. Blue shoes for blue days. She hides her shoes where she hides her receipts where she hides her overdue library books and an eviction notice.