Agona Apell Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

I can hardly think of anything that more poignantly signifies bereavement than the empty shoes of the dead. The sight makes me weep. It is especially painful if it is the shoe of a toddler. It has been said that dead men tell no tales. I agree. It's their shoes that do.

Tales of a Worn Shoe

At the end of life, in a worn shoe lies the story of 
a man's life written by foot:
At its tip we see lashings of the million journeys 
he attempted, 
And in its emptiness the stinging image of loss.
Its fine style recalls the happy eyes that once shone 
upon it, 
And from its stillness memories of a journey cut 
short erupt.
Beneath the shoe lie the harsh strokes of the road 
he trod—here a gaping sole and there a tilted heel—
And on its wavy skin we see the rise and fall of 
bygone fortune.
In its general look we see the stamp of the wearer's 
character: here his caring side & there his daring side.  
And so at death we learn that a foot is too small a thing 
to fill a worn shoe.

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Teddy Kimathi July 28, 2016 at 8:50 AM Congrats Agona, for having your brilliant piece featured in the Poetrysoup homepage!!! ;-) Agona Apell July 31, 2016 at 1:24 PM Thanks Teddy!

Jaquay Atkins July 26, 2016 at 6:52 AM nice Agona Apell July 31, 2016 at 1:25 PM Thanks Jaquay!

Edgar Levy May 8, 2016 at 8:20 PM This was a very deep piece, very moving. You're right about the memories. Agona Apell May 9, 2016 at 12:23 AM Glad you should find it so, Edgar! Thanks for sharing the sentiment.

Arthur Vaso November 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM Now this is one creative piece of poetry, and filled with wisdom! Your comments bring to my heart sadness, as no child's shoes should be empty! again, great poem! Agona Apell February 7, 2016 at 2:33 AM Thanks Arthur for the warm words!