S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri Poet Quatorzain

An Inspiring Pile of Shoes

I attended a large gathering and took some time
to observe the great assortment of shoes stacked on the racks
I saw new shoes, pricey shoes, and shoes not worth a dime
and shoes that seemed to have crossed many paths and tracks.

I saw dainty sandals and flighty high heeled ones too
I saw sporty sneakers and rough and tough trainers
I saw both the laced and the leathery buckled shoe
Then I saw the humble yet hardy pair of slippers.

I saw pointy shoes, furry shoes and flatties as well
I saw flowery ones and those studded with trinket gems
Some stacked neatly in pairs, others thrown about pell mell
Some recently repaired, some coming off at the hems.

I saw long boots, rubber boots and
there were glittery Indian styled stilettoes
I spotted fragile glass sandals and metallic brass sandals
and soft comfy ones for comfort of feet 'n' toes.

And while I was thus lost and engrossed
in watching the great assortment of footwear 
The old caretaker, to me, a cheap pair tossed
saying, ' here's an extra pair if you've lost your shoes.

She was too busy and distracted to be in my shoes of muse
So I'd to slip out thinking of some quick excuse
She didn't even notice I wasn't actually barefoot
So I had to take them elsewhere, both my muse and my boot! 

Ah, and long ago when once we could afford only a 'shoestring' budget  
I once hadn't enough bucks to replace a worn out pair of shoes
I was sad for not having even a good goody two shoes
Then God showed me a wayfarer's shoeless pair of barefeet
and then one hapless one with no feet at all! 
So I could imagine life being in their missing shoes.

(Footnote*
Wonderin where I saw so many shoes off peoples feet? Well, in our religious gatherings say for prayers in the mosque hall or even the religious lecture hall, we've to enter barefooted  and sit down  crosslegged. So that's where you come across all kinds of shoes on racks provided in the cubicle.

Actually in the Disney movie, 'THE PRINCE OF EGYPT', i marked that even Moses took off his shoes before talking to God.)

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Joe Maverick December 9, 2022 at 11:14 AM I like the humble objects used to convey Your thoughts Zaynab, I appreciate always The power that I find in what some look on As mundane objects, who knows where Inspiration may be found.?

Funom Makama June 25, 2020 at 4:11 PM Oh dear.. What a lovely piece you have here. Your craft is definitely seasoned with lots of creativity. Great poem.

Swetha Vangaveti May 25, 2020 at 2:47 PM As a child, I always longed for a nice pair of shoes!! Now, I realised how blessed it is to be able to NOT have remained barefoot!!! Great poem and an eye opening one.

M. L. Kiser April 22, 2020 at 10:52 AM It's bizarre the things we take for granted until we see someone who has nothing. Well penned food for thought.

Debbie Knapp April 6, 2020 at 2:19 AM Shoes tell our story and take us where we want to go. Out of love and respect for God many remove their shoes while get many other do not. Fantastic job a beautiful write!

Vladislav Raven March 20, 2020 at 10:26 AM Hi Zaynab, I am blessed to be here commenting on your wonderful write. I am sorry it did take me so long to get here. I love the content of your excellent write. You are a special poet my friend. God commanded Moses to remove his sandals for he stood on holy ground. An excellent write my friend. Have a wonderful friday. Your friend always....Mike.

Besma Riabi Dziri March 12, 2020 at 4:35 PM In front of God we are ever bare whatever we wear! I liked the meticulous rendition of your profound thoughts, Zaynab! So pleased to be here reading and commenting on your wonderful poem! Regards and blessings to you.

Carole Duet March 6, 2020 at 7:26 PM What an interesting and fun poem, Zaynab. I enjoyed this so much and appreciate the custom of praying without shoes on but "Why" is my question to you. There must be some kind of explanation for this custom for I'm sure God hears our prayers barefoot or with shoes on. FAVED! S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri March 7, 2020 at 4:23 AM Hi Carole, I'm glad you found it interesting and fun! Of course dear God hears our prayers in any state or condition whatsoever. Removing shoes is a mark of respect, it's there in Christianity too. Removing shoes also shows you can go to God in natural humble state without even bothering about shoes, and it actually makes it easier on poor people to sit next to the rich in our mosques without feeling embarrassed about their perhaps worn out shoes. Warm thanks, Take care.

Sunita U.D Palawon February 16, 2020 at 2:59 AM I like the pun in this...it's really entertaining and what a shrewd observer you are. Congrats. :) Sunita UPD S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri March 7, 2020 at 4:18 AM Warmest thanks dear for nice lovely comment! Ah yes observer I try my best to be.

Silent One February 3, 2020 at 2:10 PM You are a brilliant poet... S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri March 7, 2020 at 4:15 AM Thanks ever soo much, means a lot coming from one of the best poets here!! Best wishes,

Caren Krutsinger January 30, 2020 at 5:40 AM Back to say - wow! This one is so far up the best poems list. Great job! I knew it was a winner! S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri March 7, 2020 at 4:15 AM Aw warmest thanks pal always for your loveliness, sweet kindness. ??

Harry Horsman January 23, 2020 at 2:57 AM Great poetry, love the story, in my culture with respect we remove our hats. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri March 7, 2020 at 4:13 AM Oh good that's also nice. Removing shoes is a mark of respect in the bible as well. Thanks so much!

Abdullah Alhemaidy January 17, 2020 at 9:42 PM New and interesting poem! Enjoyed read thanks for sharing. Best regards. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri March 7, 2020 at 4:12 AM Thanks so much, God bless!

Sunlite Wanter January 17, 2020 at 11:05 AM I smiled when I read your title, and then I went back and read it all. I am glad I did! Congratulations on placing in the "best" list. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 17, 2020 at 2:48 PM Aw warmest thanks for your nice feedback! I'm glad you liked it, means a lot coming from a great poet like you. Now I'm excited if I read yours recent, going to check. Happy new yr!

Eve Roper January 16, 2020 at 11:06 PM Great verse congratulations your win. Eve S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 17, 2020 at 12:06 AM Warmest thanks for the comment and congrats. Happy new year dear! Will check yours out soon.

Chris Hagy January 16, 2020 at 10:03 PM This is so very clever!...love the rhymes :) S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 17, 2020 at 12:05 AM I'm super glad you loved the rhymes as well. Warmest thanks, great beautiful horse you have in pic. Happy new yr!

Andrea Dietrich January 16, 2020 at 8:46 PM this was fascinating to me and also I learned a bit about your culture too! S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 17, 2020 at 12:01 AM Warmest thanks Andrea for your lovely sweet comment and your understanding words. Happy new yr!

Reason A. Poteet January 16, 2020 at 2:58 PM Delightful rhymed piece covering a plethora of footwear. Loved the inclusion of a shoestring budget in the summary stanza (excellent ending with emotion). As I recall from Exodus 3, God commanded Moses to take off his sandals Thanks for sharing this with us at PS, Szaynab. Have a great day! S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 16, 2020 at 11:59 PM Thanks soo much for great comment! I'm excited you mentioned the verse that God actually commanded to remove shoes. See that's why Muslims always say that they follow the original Christianity to the tee. Best wishes and happy new yr!

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart January 16, 2020 at 9:09 AM Splendid piece, Blessings to you, xomo Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart January 16, 2020 at 12:17 PM Lol, I did! ...organizing my thoughts is a challenge these days, I was moved by your poem. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 16, 2020 at 11:36 AM Warm thanks ,peace to you too, hope you read it.

Richard Lamoureux January 15, 2020 at 5:51 PM In scripture God commands people to take off their shoes when they are on Holy Ground. I enjoyed your thoughtful piece. Thanks for your visit. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 10:30 PM Great to know, I like to know how and where the scriptures connect. Thanks muchly for comment, hapy new yr!

Line Gauthier January 15, 2020 at 5:06 PM I thoroughly enjoyed your poem. Congrats on your most deserving top win. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 10:28 PM Thanks soo much for the comment and win notice!! Best wishes and happy new year to u!

Mike Gentile January 15, 2020 at 3:52 PM You demonstrate all walks of life with your write and though different, we are all the same with same needs and desires. We need more understanding of each other. Well done !! S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 4:38 PM Yes we need to understand each other. Yes different but we are all the children of Adam, all created by one God, believe it or not. Thanks so much for your thoughts on this, hapy new yr!

Caren Krutsinger January 15, 2020 at 3:15 PM This is a FAV for me! I am glad you asked me to read it. I am honored. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 4:36 PM Aw my fav sweet poetess warmest thanks for your heartwarming response! Happy new yr!

Gershon Wolf January 15, 2020 at 12:50 PM Shoes are the mark of society, civilization, technology. So, when on holy ground, take them off, as Moses was instructed to do at the burning bush, when he 1st encountered God. Thanks, Gershon S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 2:06 PM Yeah shoes were worn since the ancient times, that's why Moses took them off to show humble reverence to God. Yes you reminded me of the point he removed his shoes. Thanks so much for comment!

John Hamilton January 15, 2020 at 12:11 PM Very nice poem shows how many types of people there are, and yet all are barefoot before God. Moses took off his sandals because God told him that Mount Sinai was holy, because that's where he was. Do you therefore think God is everywhere so we should always be barefoot, or only at religious gatherings. Btw Canadian custom is to remove shoes when entering a home of someone who has invited us for a meal. S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 2:04 PM And wish you a happy new yr, thanks so much for comment! S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri January 15, 2020 at 2:02 PM I'm so impressed by what you added here, so it is mentioned in the bible in these words wow! Yes all are barefoot before God but we are not praying all the time so we need to be barefooted only for humble reverent communion with Almighty loving God, in religious settings. Wow good to know if that Canadian custom, muddy shoes can really mess up floors so this should be universal, my hubby ensures it in our home too.

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