Better to go bare-foot,
Than wear that old soft shoe.
Be the altar of your own soul,
And let them come and worship you!

You wear your torment and your pain,
Like an old soft shoe,
And so you live again, again,
The things that damage you.

Upon their altars you lay you down,
For them to cut and rend,
Time to throw off the thorny crown,
And change the pattern, Friend.

Take charge of your own journey,
You are your only traffic cop,
You only do it over and over,
Until the day you stop!

Better to go bare-foot,
Than wear that old soft shoe.
Build a brighter, lighter temple,
And let them come and worship you!

(13th February 2008)

Res John Burman

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/better-to-go-barefoot/