Bare Essentials.... [traveling; Shoes; U.S. President; Medium Long] Poem by Bri Edwards

When I first gave this title some thought regarding ME,
I thought 'What are my needs for life? What COULD they be? '
The 'bare essentials'? What is 'pressingly needed but nothing more'?
Food, drink, heating/cooling, shelter. I could survive as 'Men' have done before.

But then I thought again and this is what I thought:
Case-by-human-case, more 'BASICS' will be sought.
Here's a 'for instance'. I'll now list essentials for human travel,
which vary widely, for ‘are we talking oceans or paths of gravel? '

A person is born with bare feet. A newborn doesn't walk.
Just like a babe needs no words (since a newborn doesn't talk) ,
an infant needs neither socks nor shoes to protect its little toes,
since a baby at first gets carried …….to wherever a baby goes.

Soon enough humans are let loose on the floor or ground,
but they still may not need even socks; it depends on what's around.
Bare feet, in warm weather areas, COULD suffice for a long time;
the bottoms of feet could toughen up, but might pick up some grime.

I believe I was very young when shoes first were put on me,
but I may not have learned to tie them till I was in grade three.
So my feet haven't toughened much; with shoes I do, them, protect ……
from thorns and gravel, and such, and from the Sun's heat ……sidewalks reflect.

I can walk to a grocery store, the bank, and the library,
the post office, city hall, and dentist. My walking fare is 'free'.
BUT, there are some people for whom just socks and shoes won't do.
To tell the truth, the folks who are LIKE ME …….., are far between and few!

Take, FOR EXAMPLE, our U.S. President, Mr. Barack Obama.
It's been an awfully long time since he was carried by HIS mama.
Now he's got security and speed requirements to heed.
Besides shoes

When I first gave this title some thought regarding ME,
I thought 'What are my needs for life? What COULD they be? '
The 'bare essentials'? What is 'pressingly needed but nothing more'?
Food, drink, heating/cooling, shelter. I could survive as 'Men' have done before.

But then I thought again and this is what I thought:
Case-by-human-case, more 'BASICS' will be sought.
Here's a 'for instance'. I'll now list essentials for human travel,
which vary widely, for ‘are we talking oceans or paths of gravel? '

A person is born with bare feet. A newborn doesn't walk.
Just like a babe needs no words (since a newborn doesn't talk) ,
an infant needs neither socks nor shoes to protect its little toes,
since a baby at first gets carried …….to wherever a baby goes.

Soon enough humans are let loose on the floor or ground,
but they still may not need even socks; it depends on what's around.
Bare feet, in warm weather areas, COULD suffice for a long time;
the bottoms of feet could toughen up, but might pick up some grime.

I believe I was very young when shoes first were put on me,
but I may not have learned to tie them till I was in grade three.
So my feet haven't toughened much; with shoes I do, them, protect ……
from thorns and gravel, and such, and from the Sun's heat ……sidewalks reflect.

I can walk to a grocery store, the bank, and the library,
the post office, city hall, and dentist. My walking fare is 'free'.
BUT, there are some people for whom just socks and shoes won't do.
To tell the truth, the folks who are LIKE ME …….., are far between and few!

Take, FOR EXAMPLE, our U.S. President, Mr. Barack Obama.
It's been an awfully long time since he was carried by HIS mama.
Now he's got security and speed requirements to heed.
Besides shoes (probably expensive) , there is much more that he does NEED.

Yes, traveling for the President can be a daunting task.
I was going to ask him all about it, but I thought I shouldn't ask.
After all, his traveling 'bare essentials' are probably 'hush-hush';
needless to say, jet planes and helicopters are needed when he's in a rush.

Oh he may walk to the barbershop; there's probably one in his 'HOME'.
BUT I bet he doesn't walk too far, except, when golfing, he does roam.
Then plain, everyday shoes like I've got, would certainly not 'do'.
He must have some special spiked golfing shoes, at least a pair or two.

Sometimes to travel within a city, he NEEDS a bulletproof limo,
probably one with TV and internet and every other modern gizmo.
A helicopter would be used for taking trips a little longer [keeping home the car].
And a jet, 'Air Force One' perhaps, will be needed to go VERY FAR.


I think even in The White House, with all its levels, rooms, and doors,
President Obama, a ride in an elevator or motorized cart, often scores.

And it's not just HIS transport, for which vehicles are needed;
but Secret Service agents, armed with earbuds and Uzis: national security is heeded.
Yet, when I walk downtown to the bank, I use plain old shoes ….. on my feet,
AND my only line of defense is 'running away' to keep from being 'beat ………….
up'.


(October 1+2, 2014)