“Shoes,” In Honour of National Poetry Day (USA) Post Your Poem!

if i could step inside your shoes,
well-worn and dusty,
stitching rent,
and faded hide,
and laces frayed,
and insoles soft,
and steel caps bent,
to retrace steps,
once trod by you,
over glass and stormy sea,
such was the lover that you be,
to come in search,
to come for me.

and feel the toil of everyday,
the struggle,
as your crag-ged hands,
moved rocks and mountains,
without rest,
to you my hero,
that climbed the crest,
I’ll dance a jig,
I’ll call a toast,
I’ll drink to you,
beloved ghost.

(c) Copyright Niamh Clune 2012

About Dr Niamh

When I was a little girl (a very, very long time ago), I used to love learning new, really big words like ‘discombobulate’. As I grew, my love of words grew too, until I loved them so much, I could not stop writing them down. One day, as I was scribbling a particular word, a very peculiar thing happened. The word shouted at me, “Stop! Don’t put me there!” As you can imagine, I was shocked and nearly fell off my chair. When I recovered somewhat, I said to the word, “Could you stop shouting, please? I am not used to it.” Can you guess what happened next? No! I thought not. The word said, “I might be small, but I will misbehave if you do not use me properly. I will not tell the story you would like me to tell. I will say something entirely different!” I dropped my pen. I hoped that by dropping my pen, the word would stop talking. Alas! It did not. It carried on chitterchobbling, even after the ink had dried. I was in a pickle. I could not allow my words to run away with my story, now could I? I don’t know about you, but when this sort of thing happens, there is only one thing left to do if you prefer not to spend your time arguing. “Very well,” said I. “I will do as you ask if you will just be quiet and allow me to concentrate.” Since that day, I have been paying special attention to every word I invite into my stories. After all, a story should say exactly what it means to say and not be led astray. With love from Dr. Niamh, Ph.D in Learning Through The Imagination and Founder of Dr Niamh Children's Books. www.drniamhchildrensbooks.com

View all posts by Dr Niamh →