Mindlessly walking with shoes untied,
but gravity could not be defied -
he tried to grab hold,
to person or pole –
crashing down hard onto his backside!
The wedding venue burnt without flame
the moment we stepped in.
You and I, hand in hand, step by step—
we laughed till our facials started aching,
we danced until the floor grew tired.
That was the story of our first day in love.
Twenty five years after marriage~
we now hardly speak,
our children hardly know us.
We rise too early, return too late,
stealing only minutes for
good morning
and how was your night,
before the routine begins again.
Nannies cradle our children in their arms—
they bathe them, clothe them,
and sing them lullabies meant to be sung by us.
Last night I saw your first gray strand,
glinting as you hurried into your car.
I smiled—you’ve joined
my five-year-old company of grays.
Darling,
how many more years
will we remain strangers tied by rings?
When will our children truly be ours?
Forgive me for leaving this note in your shoes,
but I wanted you to find it
before leaving for work this morning.
THOSE THESE SHOES I WEAR I’M BAREFOOTED-
you wear the shoes that fit you
Bottomed out barefooted
Naked toes and sole
Standing on Holy Grounds
~
You dance like David dance
A spectrum of Holy worship
He sees your heart beyond your flesh
Standing on Holy Grounds
~
You raise the hands that were given you
You stand on the grounds the lands in shoes
Naked you come into this world, naked you return
9/3/25
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr. 2025©
"from LIFE DISCERN Anthology "
Put on your dance shoes,
come take my hand,
We’ll Waltz through dreams in a ballroom grand.
Tango! calls with a fiery chase,
Two hearts meet in a bold embrace.
Salsa! spins in the tropic glow,
fast feet flash as the trade winds blow.
Rumba! sways with a warm desire,
slow steps burn in a tender fire.
Foxtrot! smooth as a silver stream,
cool as jazz in a midnight dream.
Quickstep! kicks with a bright, loud cheer,
flying feet as the crowd draws near.
Paso! proud with a stamping beat,
Swing! where laughter makes life complete.
The music’s here the night’s still young,
put your dance shoes on let’s join the song!
This limerick is about a clown,
who when shopping in a nearby town.
A mother with small boys,
said his giant shoe made too much noise.
Shoeless he shopped while tip toeing around.
I once had a neighbor called miss goody two shoes,
Each time I was cornered she sang me the blues.
Because she hadn’t improved,
I just picked up and moved,
after fifteen years I thought I’d paid my dues.
Should you like to view the shrike
or have a butchers take a hike
to where they nest while at rest
but better yet sneak a peek
at the dancing yet docile
and stupid blue-footed booby
as it will make you smile
for they have no need to choose
a pair of blue suede shoes
and how to catch them
there's no secret you would keep
it's best when they're sound asleep
yes can you guess
if you dare when they nap
to snare one two or a few
use a blue-footed booby trap
Achoo! Sneeze! I sat up on my knees,
I glare into the darkness, while Claire makes a cup of tea,
Oh please give me some peas, I cried as I sighed,
They took away all of my food and my mood dropped,
They even took away my shoes, but they can’t take away you, but they do!
I screamed in pain, but they think it’s lame,
They took away everything so all was done, but I never gave them my gun!!
Going barefoot feels fine at the time
and wearing shoes do too
but sometimes I need something light
something not quite so tight only sandals will do
going barefoot feels fine now and then
and donning boots do too
but sometimes I want something loose
something I can put to good use only sandals come through
sandals always do the trick
and of the pack I had my pick
but wish I knew what makes them tick
and get a handle on these my brand new sandals
they didn't cost a lot of money
but when I walk my feet sound funny
flip-flop flip-flop
my right goes flip my left goes flop
flip-flop flip-flop all day long until I stop
tho' they're really no good for running
I'm footloose and fancy-free
and if you hear a flip-flop coming
hey that'll be me
flip-flop flip-flop flip-flop flip-flop
OH ANGIE my beau in morning light,
We've rocked on all through the night.
UNDER MY THUMB, our love still burns,
Rolling dem stones to what she yearns.
PAINT IT BLACK, let's sing the tune,
Let it play from dawn to noon.
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT,
But it sure pays to taunt and flaunt.
Let's toss the TUMBLIN' DICE again,
For love is luck, and we're in the game.
WILD HORSES couldn't drag us apart.
Now we're dancing heart to heart.
HONKY TONK WOMEN now that's a tune,
To croon RUBY TUESDAY over the moon.
To rock the socks of dem rock tones.
By rolling moss right off dem stones.
Tho' they may display legs to best advantage,
observing the constraints, begs the question, 'What's afoot?'
Seems to me I had a bee in my bonnet
about women's proclivities and passion
when compelled to write this pseudo-sonnet
about their footwear fashion.
Some are bonkers barmy as bedbugs, daft, dippy, daffy,
(with) bats in the belfry too,
it's far beyond my reckoning, as I can't fathom,
why they choose to wear the pairs of shoes they do.
And as for a clue, I haven't any, why they own so very many.
With their platforms, pumps, stilettos, wedges, they're tottering on
the edges of insanity, an exercise in futility,
an accident about to happen, one stumble, a tumble then... a calamity.
Seeing them hobble, while their dogs are barking,
these are the words they'd speak, if their feet could talk,
'Cinderella had the right idea, losing her glass slipper,
as oh the pains you put us through when you are wont to walk.
It's no more than torture, a total imposition,
somewhat akin to boots of the Spanish Inquisition.'
each Cobblestone makes up the road
ouch from your very sharp high heel shoes
The older I get the more I hate shoes
When I was a teen I loved to choose
Different leather pumps and high heels
Wearing shoes now is a not a big deal
I like my old mules now out of style
As my feet can be free slide in and out
And those Crocs are popular for sure
But I just can’t get into them no lure
As a teen I was a fancy sharp dresser
Now I struggle to get dressed a stressor
Summer shoes and sun dresses are ok
But can’t wait to get home and strip away
I’m so happy, blessed to live home alone
As hot flashes happen want nothing on
When I do wear pajamas I like them loose
So there is less trauma to boobs, caboose
I'm walking in darkness alone on a street
Making no sound with no shoes on my feet
I'm freezing cold and I am losing heat
Still I have no shoes on my feet
I'm starving and I need something to eat
It hurts to walk with no shoes on my feet
My head is hung low my body in defeat
But I keep walking with no shoes on my feet
I'm judged by all the people I meet
All because I have no shoes on my feet
But when we die and our maker we meet
WE WILL ALL STAND BEFORE HIM WITH
NO SHOES ON OUR FEET
The dainty walk of Chinese women
beyond the Wall in olden days
was due to cruel and unusual punishment
confined and constrained by strange customary ways
victims of fashion prisoners of fad
small feet were in sadly big were bad
forced to wear a pair of lotus shoes
very small baby steps were all they took
altho' it wasn't until 1912 or so
when the girls were finally let off the hook
back then 'pon seeing his new-born daughter
especially when she cried
a Chinaman was bound to say
'Those toes are fit to be tied.'
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