A few hours ago I walked barefoot across a local park
As the grass was still damp from the morning dew
It was a pleasant experience
I have always walked barefoot
When the conditions were right
This habit dates back many years
As frequently I was in the company
Of a Polish girl named Zuzanna
We often visited cinemas without footwear
And were never asked to wear shoes
As those were far more laid back times
Nobody really gave a fuck about anything
Occasionally because of the selfish behaviours
Of a smokers our feet received nasty burns
I still retain some of the scars even to this day
But I am happy in the knowledge
That these creatures died before their time
I am not bitter but I am ashamed of myself
As I have seen fit to include these lines
When I was nothing but a lad of twelve
My parents took me to the Isle of Wight
Ventnor to be exact and it was here
That I discovered a few of Karl Marx’s unpublished poems
Behind a fireplace in our small hotel
It was an amazing discovery
And I passed these off
As my own for many years
But when I eventually revealed my theft
I was not believed and these poems
Are still attributed to me
Which I find ridiculous
In a way as a poet I feel guilty
And that is why that I still tend to walk around barefoot
Zuzanna is now married to a leading Polish politician
And judging from recent photographs
She no longer walks around without shoes