Meditation on Van Gogh's shoes

Where did these shoes walk?

Your shoes walked to the shanty homes of coalminers’ families. You shared the little you had in the name of Jesus, longing to find your own purpose as God’s mouthpiece to the poor.

Your shoes brought you home in disgrace many times, to face the family who wanted so much for you, your parents' disappointment a constant reminder that they never truly knew you.

Your shoes tramped through fields and copses, chasing ethereal light, shadow, and vivid color.

And these shoes came off, at the end of many solitary days, in a solitary room.

And they, like you, were rumpled, and expressive.

This still life of a pair of shoes is hardly “still” at all, full of movement, and begging the question, Where did these shoes walk?