"Only Down In Brighton"

I know Brighton's supposed to be alternative
But even this caught me on the hop
'VEGETARIAN SHOES' was the name
Above a local shop!
Did this mean they weren't made of leather
Or any other four-legged beasts' hide?
Surely if that were the case
It sohuld have been 'Vegan Shoes' outside?
Or maybe they were edible
Just not as tough as old boots
Instead of being made from cow hide
Somehow moulded from rotten fruit.
And if they were sandals
Would it be veggie to nibble someone's toe
As long as you don't digest flaky skin
Maybe that's an ok way to go.
I think I know the bottom line
Don't expect me to sit on the fence
Keep it quiet between you and me
Those right-on types have more money than sense.

Dulwich Poet 14th February 2015

(I saw a shopn in the trendy part of Brighton called 'The Lanes', that was actually a shoe shop with the name 'Vegetarian Shoes')