My Uncle Fred, who mended shoes as well as being in the Navy, had a work bench in his shed that looked just like the one in this picture. I can smell the lovely scent of leather even now, as I remember childhood.
I don't know why (well, I do, because this is about shoes - dur!) but I thought of the first verse of Plath's 'Daddy', her bittersweet poem about her father.
You do not do, you do not do Any more, black shoe In which I have lived like a foot For thirty years, poor and white, Barely daring to breathe or Achoo.
I love the way she uses this imagery to communicate a sense of oppression.
friko the smell of leather and polish and the sounds of spinning buffers and of course the leathery hands of the cobbler himself sing out from this little image. it's lovely. steven
On the school walk last year we were all introduced to the old cobbler who used to mend and make shoes and sabots and I htought then how lucky are we of a generation who actaully had shoes mended or made by hand not mass produced in some far flung place!
My Uncle Fred, who mended shoes as well as being in the Navy, had a work bench in his shed that looked just like the one in this picture. I can smell the lovely scent of leather even now, as I remember childhood.
ReplyDeleteA skill that's getting harder to find-- and "while you wait" is a real gift.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why (well, I do, because this is about shoes - dur!) but I thought of the first verse of Plath's 'Daddy', her bittersweet poem about her father.
ReplyDeleteYou do not do, you do not do
Any more, black shoe
In which I have lived like a foot
For thirty years, poor and white,
Barely daring to breathe or Achoo.
I love the way she uses this imagery to communicate a sense of oppression.
friko the smell of leather and polish and the sounds of spinning buffers and of course the leathery hands of the cobbler himself sing out from this little image. it's lovely. steven
ReplyDelete'If asked to walk a mile, invite to walk two together.'
ReplyDeleteA wonderful weekend, filled with nice roads ahead of you.
On the school walk last year we were all introduced to the old cobbler who used to mend and make shoes and sabots and I htought then how lucky are we of a generation who actaully had shoes mended or made by hand not mass produced in some far flung place!
ReplyDeleteThey are a dying breed, Cobblers, now that we have throw away shoes for a tenner. Shame.
ReplyDeleteCobbler Cobbler mend my shoe
Bring it back by halfpast two.
jinksy - a cobbler of your very own!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Pangert - it sure is
Fran - how are the students getting on with Plath? I stlll have a way to go before she becomes a favourite. I am working on it!
steven - thank you for that, steven
robert - lovely thought, robert
her-at-home - having shoes mended now is almost an anachronism
Moannie - bring it back? the few cobblers and keycutter shops combined in the supermarket precincts wouldn't dream of it!