Invaluable

Like the pair of stilettos,
that once adorned her resilient feet,
lending them grace and softness...
As she stood in them,
tall and straight,
the world looked up to her
and she stared back at life,
a smile on her lips and challenge in her eyes...

They had walked with her through the mundane,
and when she danced her happy-dance,
they tapped in rhythmic joy,
and when she sat on the cold floor,
with her knees pulled close to her chest,
they caught her salty tears...

Now they lay in a forgotten corner
fighting age as it tried to steal their glory...

Like the ornate wrist watch
that once hung loosely along her wrist,
kissing palms that were garralous with destiny.
Always her steadfast companion,
not begrudging her for all the good times it was ignored,
for it hated being a villain like the clock
that struck 12 in cinderella's story.
So it would try to stop its steady advance,
Failing always, merely a puppet strung by fate...

It was always the first thing she turned to,
when she awoke blue and dazed,
in the midst of a blue night...
Now sitting atop a dusty cabinet
Rusty and unmoving...

Hands almost meeting but not quite,
it was always almost-12...

Looking at these old objects
She smiled in memory at their little conspiracy,
that night 13 years ago,
when atop a terrace with lights that outshone the million stars
she had twirled and spun and swayed to an endless tune
till her faithful pair of high-heels gave way,
sending her falling into his arms
and as he broke her fall and cradled her shaking body
her watch in a heroic act, froze in motion,
forever preserving that pure moment...

Old now, worthless they lay
But as long as they brought that playful smile to her weathered face
They would forever remain invaluable!