Emerging Courageous Online Magazine

Emerging Courageous Online Magazine - Poetry

Different Shoes by Donna Wallace

I once walked in your shoes for a mile, or so,

And learned things I never knew I didn't know.

I learned lessons of which I'd never dreamed,

Your life was far different than it had first seemed.

You too owned your mountains to scale and climb

And that your cliffs were just as steep as were mine.

Your shoes weren't lined in fur of mink as I'd guessed

And that you too had blisters and suffered distress.

Before walking in your shoes I'd truly believed

That you had it easy but I was sorely deceived

When I'd filled your shoes I walked slow and bent

You'd never complained of your pain as you went.

I've walked in the shoes of paupers and fools,

I've learned we all have our own set of rules.

That each person owns his own path to success

All our journeys are different but no journey's less.

I've walked in the shoes of the lost and forlorn

Noticing how completely their shoes were torn

And the president's shoes were no different at all

Yet I found them too big and my feet far too small.

I traded my shoes for costly ones made of gold

Only to notice that they also grew worn and old.

I found everyone's shoes were no less than mine

All men have the same feet by God's own design.

I choose to walk in only my own shoes now

They may not be gold but they fit me somehow

I found when I walked in another man's shoes

I still had the same hard decisions to choose.

Now when asked who I wish that I could be,

I smile and say "Just the very best ME"

At least my shoes haven't walked on me yet

And when marching, I can at least stay in step.

It's enlightening to walk in another man's shoes,

You start to learn the traits that cause them to lose.

Or when you're walking, on air, in the shoes of success,

You learn to depend more on yourself - and others far less.

Walk the valleys of death; climb the mountain of fear,

And when you've reached the top the view is so clear.

The steep path finally ends; and the fog finally fades,

And the mountaintops all promise scenes that amaze.

So many lessons are offered in the shoes of a friend,

In shoes of a stranger so much knowledge is gained.

Walk in the shoes of different people and you'll find,

You can see from a completely new frame of mind.

Then slip on your own shoes and learn what all shoes contain

Each pair of shoes teaches lessons, some of joy, some of pain
In this world, as you walk, each mile in any shoes that you wear,

They'll teach you the mandatory lessons of compassion and care.

You'll learn that the strangers you looked down on before,

You now understand them and don't condemn anymore.

And the Kings and the Queens that you thought were blessed,

Are never any happier than you, they're just better dressed.

So walk all your footsteps in shoes from all lands,

Only then will you be able to fully understand.
Life is a lesson, for every human who breathes,

We all wish to be loved and we have our own needs.

All people are people, human beings - One race,

Created by The Lord with much love and great grace

Every man is created to love and to be treated with respect

We should make each person "more" - never any "less"

Walk in my shoes and see the world that I see,

I see a world filled with promise and a bright destiny.

I see a world of love. and compassion, and justice for all,

A shoulder to cry on, and someone there when you fall.....

I now understand our purpose ~ To "Do unto Others"

That God designed us all to remain close; as brothers

To offer a shoulder to lean on when someone's in need

And though all men look different we are of the same seed.

Love and Light,

Donna Wallace

a.k.a. Gentle-Daydreamer

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