Jay Anderson-Taylor Poet Lay

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.

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Raul Moreno May 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM Excellent write...Raul

Sue Mason April 22, 2009 at 9:22 AM Awesome write ... I think this is my favorite of the three, Jay. Good luck in the contest!

Michael Jordan April 5, 2009 at 10:06 AM Jay - Congratulations on all three of your poems making it through the first round, best of luck in the finals – God Bless, MJ

Celeste Butler-Mendez March 31, 2009 at 10:39 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.

Carol Sunshine Brown February 27, 2009 at 8:30 AM Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week Jay. Love, Carol

Tyesha Ehigiator February 26, 2009 at 6:26 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

Michael Jordan February 25, 2009 at 6:00 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

Vince Suzadail Jr. February 24, 2009 at 6:58 AM Congratulations Jay on the Double Feature. God Bless. Vince

Sharon Winter December 15, 2008 at 12:48 PM Beautiful write my friend. Warmest wish to you and yours for a beautiful holiday season. Love, Shar

Christopher Higgins December 15, 2008 at 6:33 AM That was a great read!

Michael Jordan December 14, 2008 at 5:03 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

Amy Swanson December 14, 2008 at 4:53 PM Very beautiful and well written, a joy to read. Lots of tenderness and warmth shines through. God bless, Amy :)