The Old Shoe Box

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Figurative language. Written after a visit to a local nursing home.

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entered in "Ends". Judged 16/1/25 N/A




A box of old shoes under the stair,
Discarded, unwanted, no matching pair.
No longer needed, pushed out of sight.
Resigned to this box, and a fast fading light.

Soft supple leather with creases to spare, 
Polished and nourished with infinite care,
Deep, deepest red, black cherry hue,
Once, long ago, a fine ladies shoe.

Dirty old canvas all tatty and frayed,
Laces have gone with age they have strayed.
Way back in time in Olympics it shone,
The end of an era, the last race is run.

A crusty old boot with steel in the hide,
Remembers the days the land it would stride,
Helped build this country relished the role,
Undaunted, unbowed, grit in the sole.

A soft velvet slipper its partner long gone,
Lies quiet in the box while the world moves along,
Once in a while a pale silken glove,
Holds it so gently and strokes it with love.

Such a wearisome time in this box of rejects,
What happens now? What happens next?
Each knows the answer. No use debating.
It’s the end of the line, and Heaven is waiting.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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Date: 5/17/2025 7:54:00 PM
Beautifully written, Margaret.I must do something with my box of old shoes.
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Date: 11/9/2010 9:35:00 PM
Margaret see how good you are. Three poems in the first round have gotten thru! I sure wish you would come back to soup. LUv, Andrea
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Date: 10/26/2010 3:24:00 PM
That old shoe box, that old chest - memories can be great. At 81 I have quite a few. Love this poem. Congrats on the selection. Dave
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Date: 10/25/2010 11:53:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poem being picked to be featured this week Margaret. Love, Carol
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Date: 3/2/2010 9:57:00 PM
Margeret , If I have not yet added you to my fav poets, I am doing it tonight. Your talent is awesome. Luv, Andrea
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Date: 1/24/2010 1:34:00 AM
Poor old shoes. Cleverly written. Thanks for sharing.
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Date: 1/23/2010 2:36:00 AM
Margaret, Reading your creative poetry today has been a pleasure. Those old shoes... I guess they have a lot to say. Mine do (some over 30 years old...moccasins.) Thank you for sharing your words. Keep writing. (And thank you for your comments on my poetry as well.) Have a super Day! Lovingly, Dane Ann
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Date: 1/22/2010 4:05:00 PM
Very eloquently written and a message that is even more powerful when we learn the poem was written after visiting the nursing home, Margaret. The people you saw had proud, elegant days. It is a shame they are now confined to a home where they probably share their memories with few others. Amazing work! This one goes in my favorites. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 1/22/2010 9:40:00 AM
this is a very poignant write, margaret. Visits like that can really affect us. Luv, andrea
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Date: 1/22/2010 4:23:00 AM
hi Margaret, i enjoyed reading this poem, shoes wthout pairs, long forgoten but once admired pairs not cared for now just thrown in a box. i love them rhymes
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