Dear My Sexy Green Shoes

Dear My Sexy Green Shoes,

The first time I left Iraq to go to Sweden, I had to take a small boat to Greece from Turkey. There were too many people in the boat, so it flipped over and everyone fell in the water. I had to swim to the island and leave my backpack to sink. I lost all of my belongings that day, including my first pair of sexy green shoes.

That’s why the next time I had to make that same journey, I left you at home in case I fell in the water again, which I did. But this time, I was wearing red leather sneakers.

When I arrived on the island, I didn’t have anything except my shirt, shorts and my red leather sneakers. I missed you so much. It made me sad to remember how I’d walk in the street with you, the girls eyeing you because of your beautiful color and the soft, comfortable fabric. A lot of people pined for a pair of shoes like mine, but they weren’t available in Iraq.

I remember the day I bought you at H&M in Sweden. One day I was walking the streets of Stockholm, and I saw you in the store window. Do you believe in love at first sight? Your smooth body and the beautiful light green color made me fall in love with you instantly. I bought you, and put you on right there in the store. Then I took a selfie of myself and posted it on social media.

In my country, it’s traditional to leave your shoes outside the front door. But I didn’t do that with you. You were too special to me to leave you outside, so I kept you in my bedroom.

My family moved to a new house three months ago and I have not been in contact with them. I wonder if they were able to take you. I hope one day it will be safe for me to go back to Iraq and walk on its busy streets, wearing you again.

Miss you, Hayder Al-Hilo