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Old Shoes?

No, they were not mines... but I wore them with pride. The first day of school... when you came in your Sunday's best. They were not mines, but I wore them with pride. You see I knew how much sweat and tears it took to get them on my feet. So the least I could do... Is wear them with pride. I never once fell asleep hungry or unsure of what I would eat the next day. You see the very least I could do is wear them with pride... No she never once complained about how her feet hurt or how her fingers did ache. The very least I could do is wear those old shoes with pride. It's all I can do to honor the woman who would clean other folk's floors with a twinkle in her eye... As she did one day imagine me in new shoes and taking our Nation highest oath of office with pride. Old shoes? No, not in my mother's eye's.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2008




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Date: 5/3/2009 11:38:00 AM
Excellent write...Raul
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Date: 4/22/2009 9:22:00 AM
Awesome write ... I think this is my favorite of the three, Jay. Good luck in the contest!
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Date: 4/5/2009 10:06:00 AM
Jay - Congratulations on all three of your poems making it through the first round, best of luck in the finals – God Bless, MJ
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Date: 3/31/2009 10:39:00 AM
First of all, mine is NEVER plural even if the verb is. The sentence should be, "No, they were not mine. A lot of folks make that mistake even in speaking. As a African-American educator, I find a lot of my black people saying mines instead of mine. (It is mine. They are mine. You are mine.) Great story though. You should be proud.
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Date: 2/27/2009 8:30:00 AM
Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week Jay. Love, Carol
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Date: 2/26/2009 6:26:00 PM
Beautifully written, so passionately expressed..The title caught my eye..I'm glad it did, lovely indeed..You wore them with pride knowing how much she sacrificed for you to have them..That's what real mothers do, they put their children first and do all they can to make sure all their needs are met....God Bless You and Congratulations on your lovely poetry being featured this week.*Tyesha
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Date: 2/25/2009 6:00:00 PM
Jay - Loved this poem first time i read it and i still do - I just want to say congratulations on having your poetry featured this week – God Bless, MJ
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Date: 2/24/2009 6:58:00 AM
Congratulations Jay on the Double Feature. God Bless. Vince
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Date: 12/15/2008 12:48:00 PM
Beautiful write my friend. Warmest wish to you and yours for a beautiful holiday season. Love, Shar
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Date: 12/15/2008 6:33:00 AM
That was a great read!
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Date: 12/14/2008 5:03:00 PM
Thats right bro - I personally feel it's a great time in our nations history - This all began with the Civil war which pitted brother against brother both black and white and finally I can see the racial barriers (That I once was a part of in Prison) are being tore down - A man should should only be judged by his own actions - I commend you on your poem - God Bless
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Date: 12/14/2008 4:53:00 PM
Very beautiful and well written, a joy to read. Lots of tenderness and warmth shines through. God bless, Amy :)
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Book: Shattered Sighs