Socks with Flip Flops

Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new. - Thoreau

Over-the-top and throwback unique.

The only thing appropriate for his age being a flabby physique.

A quintessential geek.

Pocket protector aside.

Shirt tie-dyed.

Pullin' up in his VW hippie van.

Callin' me 'man'.

Sportin' an outdated Woodstock tan.

Hash smoke pourin' out when he opened the door.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Love beads and peace signs.

Side steppin' so many political land mines.

Enough was enough.

I'd already put up with too much of his anti-establishment stuff.

Repeatedly callin' his bluff.

Protests and sit-ins.

Oh so many unrepentant sins.

My reputation on the line for having friends who were cool.

Then I get this unpolished jewel.

A blatant crime not an innocent faux pas.

It just stuck in my craw.

I cringed when I saw what was going on between his big toes.

Weirded-out like an inexplicable freak-show.

Heaven help us and God knows who picked out his clothes.

Pushin' the limits and pullin' out all the stops.

My jaw dropped.

 I dialed 9-1-1 and called the fashion cops

when he stepped out wearin'...

... socks with flip flops ...

Author's Note

"I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love reading a wildly-scripted fun poem from you! Being a dyed-in-the-wool hippie, I find it interesting the diverging details people associate with being a "hippie". I'm afraid this term has degenerated into meaning any dumpy-looking old fart who's probably liberal. Your socks-with-flip-flops idea tends to further this misunderstanding (I've never seen a hippie wearing socks of any kind, but then again, this is California & nobody wears socks, year-round) *wink! wink!* I love the storyline of having cool friends, all except for this one freak . . . I just don't like categorizing people's looks as a way to define their politics. This just proliferates divisive stereotypes (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

this started out as a lighthearted, simple expression of not being a fan of that combination (doesn't make sense to me) but then i somehow found myself expanding it and painting a more in-depth portrait (kinda like why people do what they do - what's behind it). california is a lot different than boston. i guess i just wanted to make people think while having a laugh and showing that what is liked by one can be disliked by another. different strokes for different folks so-to-speak. variety is the spice of life as they say. i knew when i posted it that it would be a divisive write - you're either ok with it or not. was curious how it would resonate with folks. the hippie movement (60s, vietnam, etc.) were a very divisive time for the country. thank you Margie ... :)

[Samuel Dickens]

I love the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, but hate those darned socks! I tried it one time (socks and flip-flops, that is) and couldn't stand the way my poor big toes felt all trussed-up. Thank God someone invented crocs! Now to tune my guitar to double drop D and play that song.

[Pete]

thanks samuel. kinda' defeats the purpose huh - foot fashion oxymoron. i like how you found something else to 'fit' the bill (toe) so to speak. great, ground-breaking song you mention. would love to hear you play it! now if we could just get folks to stop wearin' white after labor day ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

I was laughing out loud before I even read your lines. That photograph is hilarious. Your poem is so amusing Pete and has put a smile on my face this dull but warm July morning. You can certainly write a decent poem. Loved it.

Chris

[Pete]

now you've got me laughing. thanks Chris. careful what you wear, this heat is just delirious and makes us do unconscionable things ... :)

[andrew mitchell]

lol I think its the number one turn off for women, socks in flops, I suppose its one way to get a divorce lol. Top subject great write Pete.

[Pete]

Lol. definitely grounds for separation - irreconcilable differences. thanks andrew ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

...socks with flip flops...is there anything more repugnant? So many lines here are golden, Pete...but those socks!!!

[Pete]

Lol. perfect word that 'repugnant'. we're in the throes of summer heat and this guy keeps walking around like that, not to mention the legs. my stomach turns and my mind tries to make sense of it to no avail. couldn't help but write it up. thanks kelly ... :)

[Neville]

and I thought it was a quintessentially English thing, although I must confess to not and I do mean NOT being guilty m'lud................... cheers and all that jazz...... Neville

[Pete]

Lol ... :)

[Neville]

You may well lol... but I also feel out of place at my old Ninja reunions these days... tabi socks used to be like Henry Ford used to say... they come in every colour as long as they are black....