Home » Poems » Richard Lamoureux » Yellow Shoes In the Darkness

Yellow Shoes In the Darkness

Walking through the land of shadows 
wearing my yellow shoes
With each and every step
I created color and hues

The shadows started retreating
As color permeated the ground
Out of the shadowy darkness
I heard a horrible sound

"You do not belong here
I command you to go away
You are in the land of darkness
You must listen to what I say"

I kept on moving forward
Not sure what I would see
Where was the voice coming from
I looked behind a tree

Light and color expanded
Traveling up straight to the skies
The entity that so scared me
Was right before my eyes

As my shoes banished the darkness
The entity was reduced to tears
Without the aid of shadows
He couldn't tap into my fears

I then reached down to touch him
I told him that he was safe
He looked up with confusion
As I gazed upon his face

"Are you here to destroy me?
Have you come to take me away?
There is a purpose for shadows
They create hope for brighter days."

I heard what he was saying
The shadows have their reason
In order for spring to come
We need a darker season

So I removed my yellow shoes
Watched as the shadows returned
It was time for me to go home
With this strange lesson I had learned

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Valerie Staton

Date: 1/29/2019 3:10:00 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely poem!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/3/2018 3:28:00 PM

Just keep searching but can't find a poem I have not read! Anyway, I noticed this one again. It's really profoud. I see it is put as your fourth most popular one, and for sure it's in the top of your best for me as well.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/3/2018 5:27:00 PM

Thanks for checking out my older posts. I haven’t read this one in a while.

Mary Rotman

Date: 7/18/2015 2:35:00 PM

The rhyme in this poem gives me hope for the future of rhyming poetry, It's not labored, it flows well--I'm a fan.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/18/2015 2:38:00 PM

Thanks Mary, much appreciated.

Kp Nunez

Date: 7/9/2015 10:15:00 AM

Another of your fine writes, Rick. Impressive narrative in rhyme. Wisdom you certainly have gotten along the way. Thank you for having the passion to share the more important lessons in life. I benefir from them. You are appreciated. hugs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/9/2015 4:17:00 PM

Thanks for reading one of my older ones.

Charles Bernabi

Date: 6/6/2015 8:25:00 PM

I clicked on your best poems and this is the first one in that list. Another beautiful piece you present here and thanks for writing and sharing this one Richard.

Robert Lindley

Date: 1/4/2015 8:29:00 AM

Adding this true gem to my fav list... I was hooked from the first word to the last. Everything flowed, the message, the nuances, the rhythm , the rhyme, the almost incantation like cadence, etc.. Superb writing should be able to award ten for this jewel! A7.. You rule!~!!!!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/4/2015 8:53:00 AM

You are kind Robert. Thanks for reading one of my older ones. You might like my color of happy poem that I wrote a few days ago. I am off to see what you have written.

Ninette Carey

Date: 12/12/2014 10:39:00 AM

Astonishing!!!! This is a perfect fit!! How the events played out!!! I love the Ending..... It feels so true..!!! It is as if you where with me!!!! Thank you for the inspiration an direction .... God Bless xo

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/12/2014 10:45:00 AM

Thanks Ninette I appreciate your thoughtful comment.

Peter Walsh

Date: 5/5/2014 3:01:00 AM

A strangely enlightening poem Richard, .there is a place for everything and a necessity for opposites "without the fires of Hell, how can mankind know of God" I loved your twist on it great write

Peter Walsh

Date: 5/5/2014 2:57:00 AM

A strangely enlightening poem Richard....there is a place for everything and a necessity fo opposites ...."without the fires of Hell, how can mankind know of God"....I loved your twist on it...great write

Guru Jad

Date: 4/30/2013 7:46:00 PM

This may be one the greatest poems you have written... There is much depth in it and could be held to many connotations... The trip of the yellow shoe was short, but I am sure the experience is going to linger for a looooong time! Richard, dear, I love your mind!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/30/2013 8:40:00 PM

Thanks Jad, that is a mice thing to say.

Donald Williams

Date: 4/12/2013 8:14:00 AM

I still love this one, great one Rick.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/12/2013 8:23:00 AM

Thanks

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/11/2013 6:44:00 AM

this has such a fantastical feel to it, shadows vs. light. You put a unique spin on it!!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/11/2013 8:06:00 AM

Thanks Andrea

Ephraim Crud

Date: 4/10/2013 10:29:00 AM

much as good and bad, you can't have one without t'other. a good lesson indeed, and thanks for sharing, Richard. regards, eph.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/10/2013 2:20:00 PM

Thanks eph

Harry Horsman

Date: 4/10/2013 10:13:00 AM

both interesting and enlightening,, like this poem Richard,,,

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/10/2013 2:20:00 PM

Thanks Harry, nice to have your visit.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 4/10/2013 3:51:00 AM

Very interesting Allegory Rich... it has me thinking of shadows in a much lighter way. It also has me thinking of the significance of the yellow shoes... something simple you can try to make yourself more known in the dark. It is more intriguing and leaves me with positive thoughts... great work!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/10/2013 7:07:00 AM

Each of us can be the yellow shoes in the dark leading people back to the light. The dark has it's place but people do not need to stay there.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 4/9/2013 9:59:00 PM

Hi, Richard. Like Donna, I gave this a second read to catch all the nuances there. Like Becca...I loved the same lines. BTW...couldn't follow through with your suggestion, though I did try. Free Verse is not allowed. Thanks for the encouragement. Have a good day.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/10/2013 7:05:00 AM

That is to bad it is a great poem. I have taken ideas and rewritten them to fit contest parameters you may consider that with your poem. It is a good challenge and a way to flex your poetic muscles.

Donna Jones

Date: 4/9/2013 2:26:00 PM

Wow Richard this is one to read over and over...outstanding...Donna

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/9/2013 6:47:00 PM

Thanks Donna

Donald Williams

Date: 4/9/2013 11:30:00 AM

Bravo sir, Well written and such a positive message. We are all a colmination of our worst days and our best days, between light and dark, each of us can look back and know, that without those shadows, we would have never learned the light. Excellent and to my favorites this one goes. Brillant

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/9/2013 6:48:00 PM

Thanks Donald