The Wrong Shoes

coating says catpcha, no sugar one here

Tiny, shiny, patent shoes,

two year old a loving scamp.

Silver buckles sewn on black,

stem-stitch stars upon the vamp.

Shampoo fresh her hair soft silk,

red-gold strands that gleamed in sun.

As she grew, so did her boots,

far too big my little one.

Down a path too dark to see,

still I ventured tried to find.

Blind, I couldn't penetrate

through the demons in her mind.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

yes...not sugar coated Christine ... any parent who has had to endure the life threatening choices of a child .. or a grandchild .. know all the feelings inside this poem .. though unspoken .. they shout to me :( i think you have used contrast to the max ... i was falling in love with "Shirley Temple" and suddenly i was simply falling .... well done ... with 4 children we had our share of trials .. my gratefulness for all of us surviving is magnified in reading "The Wrong Shoes" ... whether close to heart or a poets observation ... my prayers are up for lost souls right now ... peace dear friend

[Chris Shaw]

What a beautiful review Mr E. Parenting is such a difficult task. I feel for all those parents who find their young ones taking a wrong turn. Going down a pathway to nowhere. It is devastating.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

You give your life over really to bring up your children but if they stray there is very little you can do or say , just have to hope that they will learn from their wayward ways and not get too hurt or irretrievably lost in the process..
I like the use of tiny patent shoes and big boots Chris :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Stella, an old poem from the archives, but it has a universal theme which other parents will relate to. Good morning and thanks for your visit. Somewhere I still have those little shoes :)

Chris

[Stella Armour]

I have four children, all brought up with the same ethics and yet they are all so different , from gentle and kind to monstrous; i have decided you can only do your best and hope lol.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right. My three grandchildren are so different too. All brought up by my other half and I with the same standards, values etc. You can only do your best though :)

[Moonie]

It starts off so sweet and innocent, just like the kids, and progressively takes a much darker detour... Ha, well I've never been on the other side, to be able to relate to the poem from this perspective, but your words are so visual, and endlessly beautiful, it sucked me right in. I like how you concentrate on specific details, like the buckles, or the hair in the sun, while leaving out the rest of the picture- it imparts a very dreamy quality to the poem, and makes it seem like a replayed memory, with just enough details to incite nostalgia, while omitting just enough to allow us to reminisce our own memories.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you moon's fairest daughter for your welcome visit and thoughtful review. Much appreciated.read moreThank you moon's fairest daughter for your welcome visit and thoughtful review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[gram linski]

Starts off quite sweet, ends quite dark, hope she wasn't too lost,

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you gram linski. There was much darkness before the light at the end of a tunnel appeared.
read moreThank you gram linski. There was much darkness before the light at the end of a tunnel appeared.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Nicely expressed about ones choices in life creating demons of the mind ;-

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Weeping willow (such a lovely name which gives me beautiful images). I appreciate your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

No arrears with your rearing dear one! Great parenting is like a good poem you tantalize, tickle and tease the truth for there own trekking. But alas it is there interpretations they must glean from the inference of your eloquence if they are to own there trail. We can only guide they have to make there own stride. As usual your rhyme and rhythm are lovely as is its flow

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Bunny. What a lovely thoughtful response from you. It is tough being a parent. A difficult job. You do your best and hope. Most times it works out, occasionally there are struggles, but life is about choices. You can guide them to the water but you can't force them to drink. They have to learn through experience at times.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This has a really morbid feel to it. One of foreboding and fear. We watch our young grow and sprout but not always as we would wish them to. You set a really appropriate tone in this one Chris and the word use really paints that changing from innocence to exasperation.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes this is a dark poem John and it was intentional that the fears came through. Life is all about choice. Not just our own, but the choices of others. Many thanks for your review.

Chris

[john l smith]

Thank god I never had a daughter
Just can't understand those difficult thingys

[Chris Shaw]

Not all daughters are difficult :) Thanks Dave.

Chris

[Lorry]

They grow up fast, don't they?
From cherubic face to angel, to confusion in teens, to becoming responsible for their own choices in life, both good and bad.
Parents fretting of their choices and being unable to do anything but be there to pick up the pieces, and wish they still feared the naughty step as adults. Would give them time to think at least.
Now, if you don't mind, i'm off to the naughty step to have a long hard think about things :)

[Chris Shaw]

Ah the naughty step Lorry. There's a thought. All about choices, and some do not make good choices. It's a fact. No need to be reminded. Many thanks yous.

Chris

[Lorry]

You're welcome, and for next time, here's a get off the naughty step free card :)

[Chris Shaw]

You are missed Lorry. Your sense of wackiness is sorely missed :(