Sandra Haight Poet Quatern

Notes About The Poem

Empty Shoes

My unforgettable visit to the Holocaust Museum, 
     Washington, DC . . . 

Those empty shoes before my eyes-
     I hear their agony and cries.
Oh God, how could this ever be?
     The feet they nestled once walked free.

All sizes, shapes, stood filled neath skies;
     those empty shoes before my eyes,
they walked with purpose and with grace-
     now thousands piled inside this space.

The lives they led, both young and old, 
     cut short by horrors then untold.
Those empty shoes before my eyes-
     too hard to grasp and realize.

As I, behind this glass look in
     and see humanity's dark sin,
my heart and soul are pained by whys-
     those empty shoes before my eyes.


October 15, 2016

~8th Place~
Premiere Contest: My Take On The Holocaust
Sponsor: The Seeker
Judged: 10/17/2016

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Krish Radhakrishna June 12, 2020 at 2:45 AM Congrats on your great win with a wonderfully composed poem! I have been to some of these museums and they eve Ike a similar kind of response in me

P.S. Awtry June 10, 2020 at 6:01 PM Sandra this is haunting... so well written. you are such a talented poet! Congratulations!

John Watt June 10, 2020 at 2:45 PM A well-deserved top win, Sandra. A powerful write of what must have been a deeply emotional and disturbing tour of the museum. Let us never forget. Congrats ~ John

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart June 10, 2020 at 7:26 AM An incredibly powerful rendering Sandra. Congratulations for your well deserved top win. Warm hugs, mo

Kai Michael Neumann June 10, 2020 at 4:48 AM Awesome. Congratulations on your win.

Mohan Chutani June 10, 2020 at 2:47 AM Sandra, a beautiful expression for humanity.

Stephen Pennell October 18, 2016 at 2:28 AM clever to approach the comp this way works very well congrats stephen Sandra Haight October 18, 2016 at 5:26 PM Thank you very much, Stephen. Sandra

Carrie Richards October 17, 2016 at 8:34 PM A unique perspective this was, Sandra.....but from any perspective at all, it is still unfathomable. You wrote an amazing poem from a different angle. Well done Sandra Haight October 18, 2016 at 5:26 PM Thank you so much, Carrie. Yes... unfathomable. I appreciate your nice comment...I visited the museum in DC last year...the vision of those shoes left such a painful impression. Hugs, Sandra

Joseph May October 17, 2016 at 8:03 PM A heartfelt write Sandra...Congrats on your win Sandra Haight October 18, 2016 at 5:24 PM Thank you very much, Joseph. Sandra

Eve Roper October 17, 2016 at 5:34 PM Great meaningful write , Sandra, congratulations on your poems win.. Hugs Eve Sandra Haight October 18, 2016 at 5:24 PM Thank you so much, Eve. Hugs, Sandra

Kim Rodrigues October 17, 2016 at 12:29 PM Those empty shoes of those who embraced life! Poignant write! Congrats! Sandra Haight October 18, 2016 at 5:23 PM Thank you very much, Kim! Hugs, Sandra

Beautiful Scars October 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM Wow Sandra, this is amazing..good luck it is such a winner in my eyes! :)-luloo Sandra Haight October 18, 2016 at 5:23 PM A belated thank you, Laura! Hugs, Sandra