"A Pair of Shoes"

I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another
step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and
not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in this world.
Some woman are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as
much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they
think about how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.

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Comment by Jodi Denton on July 27, 2010 at 2:19pm
I love this poem. You are very talented.
Comment by Lisa Westgate on May 28, 2010 at 10:12am
Shelly, That's a lovely poem. If given the chance to change the shoes I wouldn't. Although I am sad and angry and every other emotion that exists in the moment. I have learned that these shoes may be worn and tattered but they have certainly shown me deep down there is that unconditional love. I'm grateful for the stories and love of those that try to help me thru this. Thank you!

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