I know we’ve all heard the saying, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” I thought of those words and later saw this photograph of a man mourning his wife and two sons. My heart could empathize his pain, but I couldn’t imagine losing two children and a spouse in one day! The concept for my poem, Beyond Glitter and Scuff came to my mind after I thought of tragic incidents. We often do not realize no one’s life is picture-perfect. I hope you’ll appreciate the message I am trying to convey with my words:

The poem inspired by the concept, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”

Beyond Glitter and Scuff: 

Artistic toes, pedicure on display
Rich girl, glitter flip flops, labeled: Cliché
Behind mansion doors, bottled liquor flows
Father’s working late, but Mother knows
Behind fancy wheels, Mother slurs,

“Need more booze”
Girl masks pain hidin’ truths, wearin’ pretty shoes

Scuffed up leather boots, an outdated style
Kids call him, “Tightwad-Toe-Covered-Crocodile”
Big farmhouse, rows of crops, expansive land
Drunk driver rearranged life, alone he stands
Travels down gravel roads; thanking God for life
Boots fit like home–last gift from sons and wife

Beyond glitter and scuff, lies three headstones.