My Shoes

Here is a link to my you tube channel where I read my poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZptFkj_ezoo

I like
my shoes; they are
the only pair
I have.
I've walked miles in
them.
They have
got me around for years.
My shoes are
falling apart.
They should have
quit on me a long
time ago.
Strangely enough,
people compliment
me on them.
They don't see
that the soles are
worn thin, or that they
smell like cat piss and
rotting flesh.
They don't see the
blood stains on
the canvas and the
piece of broken glass stuck
in the heel.
Nope,
they say,
'Nice kicks;
they look good on you.'
I can't afford
another pair right now,
and even if I could,
I wouldn't spend
the money on them.
No, I like my
shoes, even with
all their imperfections.
They have seen
a thousand sunsets and
carried me away
from many heartbreaks.
My shoes have
run
walked
and sauntered through
snow
rain
and all kinds of s**t.
My shoes have
saved me and
betrayed me.
And they have
tasted every type
of booze known
to man.
When I'm dead and
gone
I hope someone
burns
my shoes and throws
the ashes in
that long lonesome
river, under the bridge,
where men
live and fight
and dream.

Author's Note

Here is a link to my limited edition e-book, Rise Up Collected Poems and Short Stories, available on Booksie.com
https://booksie.chainletter.io/i/thomaswcase888

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

Shoes go through all sorts of life’s circumstances with us and we rarely think about it. The go through sunny days and the cold unbearable ones as well.

The description and imagery are vivid and clear in this poem. I liked the honest lines about cat piss and booze.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[JessyJacob]

Hi Thomas,
Nice to know that you care so much about your shoes which made you to walk so long and hold it on and wanted to be cared for. You havent mentioned if they are so true of good material like you mentioned betrayal word. But if they are good material of leather, it is better to get burried in soil instead if they are plastic even if you dump it will never get decayed and rest in peace, it is better get to burnt. But why do you want to leave behind after you. Take them with you into your space of soil.

I dont want to comment what others have written here, as review/comment. But i thimk a great lesson which i learned from my man who wishes good for everyone, never give personal view as advise to others. So i just tell and repeat the same point here.

I have seen so far people leave this world with their favorite things along with them. Its not like what you look good in.

But i really liked how explained the lines with much adoration to so cheap things which are kept outside home, because you think they carry dirt so mean things as per cutural or religious things. But i want to quote a great epic story, these shoes of lord rama were adored as a physical presence in absence of him and made the kingdom to be ruled by his bharatha. That has carried so much importance.
Another example, we usually bow to feet of god in hinduism, and feet of god or guru are given m7ch importance but for normal people they are just dirty things to be put inside home

I just shared what i have seen.

Take goood care of yourself, dont think you are enjoying time of 24 hrs it will make you drain and get older fasyer than age.
Do you know one thing why indians are sirbiving because they are not exploiting health with pills waking through night , but usa does this and get screwed trying to practice yoga meditation stopping pills now after getting over stressed. Hope you got mu point.
But if go deeper meditatipn we lose track and getting sick of halllucinations. So just maintain good sleep i know you do work hard, rest is also needed like food is needed for body.

-jessy jacob.
With loving heart.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated. Take care of yourself.

[1809 Black Plague Decem..]

Dear Thomas W Case,
that was an amazing shoe story!
It was delirious, I always say, "look at my shoes everybody, look at my shoes, their so big!" ta ta ta ta. I know silly, I love my converse Taylor Chuck shoes, :D
----Maynard

[Thomas W Case]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[red93]

Fabulous Thomas, such an interesting rumination on an apparently ordinary subject - but you give it all a strange surreal life. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[Arundass TP]

Shoes protect our toes, but we don't care or remember it. A masterpiece poem. Enjoyed reading

[Thomas W Case]

Much appreciated, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared Thomas. So many good tales for our shoes. I enjoyed this one. Wore out shoes need to be burn. Thank you my friend for the entertaining poetry.
Coyote

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[MCS]

"One shoe can change your life.” – Cinderella
Something sad yet compelling about this verse.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.