all the
little white rocks under
my feet
sting as they stab
in to the skin with their
sharp edges and corners
and I walk funny
trying to pretend that I
don’t feel it

But you can still see me
walking funny
with the slight lean
and the slow roll
heel-to-toe
stepping so
gingerly,
carefully,

The only aim
to get off of these
little white rocks
as soon as possible
not because it hurts
but so you won’t
see me
walk funny