The Shoemaker

This is a short poem based on the life of serial killer Joseph Kallinger and my mom's 'almost' encounter with him.

The Shoemaker with eyes as dark as night-

Grasping a knife in his left hand-

clutching peoples’ soles with his right. 

 

Abandoned, abused, unloved, and unwanted-

Shut away from the rest of the world-

emotionally scarred and socially stunted.

 

God and demons wore spurs in his ears-

Telling him to torture his own children-

little faces filled with horror and tears. 

 

Delusionally bent on mankind’s demise-

The voices constantly whispered-

“You must end all their lives”. 

 

Father and son hunting woman, child and man-

A total elimination of human life-

all a part of God’s plan. 

 

My own mother had her wits about her- 

Almost a victim of The Shoemaker-

Infamous serial killer, Joseph Kallinger. 

Reviews

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

In order to understand this fully I had to investigate to see who was Joseph Kallinger. Now that I am armed with that information I can fully understand the poem. You have captured everything with grim metaphors and truth. Glad your mother was spared.