Death came

shoes,
one of a woman’s best friends.
so, a queen’s staffer would try,
wear them in.
a footman would with care
air each one.
polish and
preserve them in silk
drawstring bags
for days of choice
until days when her feet
would no longer hunger
to wear comfort.
days like now when the dresser
and flunky may have no use.

Əĺļə