YOU CANNOT WALK IN MY SHOES

©  2005, Wanda L. Harrell

The shoes were created exclusively for her alone to wear,

Specifically crafted with a personal panache, a unique flair.

She walked proudly, wearing her shoes with no bounds,

Every day at home, out shopping and just playing around.

Her feet were busy because she didn’t stand idly about,

Wearing them no matter what was happening, day in and out.

Eventually life began taking its toll; the shoes were new no longer,

But with each adversity, her shoes seemed to always grow stronger.

Although careful with them, her shoes slowly began showing wear,

With a scuff or two here and a tiny knick or two there.

Through the mundane tasks, in her joys and in her strife,

She wore her shoes throughout her personal journey in life.

Up hills and down hills, through the muck and mire,

They were her protective and faithful foot attire.

A few envied her shoes, yet had their very own pair,

Created just for them, but they wanted hers to wear.

Annoyed, she let out a cry asking for those people to listen,

“You cannot wear my shoes, any more than you can wear my skin”

A few began looking at her shoes with disgust and scorn

When they began appearing a bit shabby, scuffed and worn.

With color faded, worn down heels and a tiny hole in one,

Still a few people persisted in trying to slip her shoes on.

She thought they comprehended, but guessed it must have been news

That no matter how hard one might try, no one can walk in anyone else’s shoes.

She cried, “Everyone gets only one pair of these special shoes to last a lifetime long

And so I thought you understood, but apparently I have been wrong.”

Exasperated, she added, “You have not walked down the identical road as I,

So you could not possibly wear my shoes, no matter how hard you try.

It is only I who can wear these shoes, and I know I’ll certainly wear them to my grave,

For only God knows the roads I’ve traveled, the steps my shoes and I have made

Just quit trying to walk in my shoes, or make decisions for my life and me,

Because if you take care of your own soul and soles, you’ll stay plenty busy.”