Echoes of a shining past

These shoes, so nice and shiny, remind me of days when each step felt like an embrace, even in sadness. I smiled through it all, my happiness undeniable. I hold on to these shoes not just because they represent a dream, but because they bring back memories of those days when marching felt like a dream itself. People stood beside me, and I walked with my head held high, bright smiles all around. Now, with those days faded and no one left by my side, I find myself questioning whether I should wish on a shooting star for new love and memories or cling to the old ones. Should I keep these shiny shoes or let them go? Perhaps I hold on to them not for their dream-like allure, but for the memories they evoke. They are a reminder of a time when joy was tangible, and I find myself wondering if keeping them tight is a way to shield my cold, stone heart or simply to preserve the past.