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Open Poetry #40
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The Lesson of My Sister's Shoes (the shoe challenge)
| Open Poetry #40 |
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The Lesson of My Sister's Shoes (the shoe challenge) |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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because I couldn't let them go. So now I have these oddities of fashion in my rows of clothes. He'd take the shirt right off his back when I would squeal: "Oh I like that!" So now my closet has a stack of hats fit into hats just so. My pop-in-law collected mugs- tankards, steins, and moonshine jugs. These, too, passed into my hands and one or two came from The Sands saved from all those Vegas trips-- I think of him with every sip knowing he'd be proud of it and how we show them off proudly. My brother passed away and I inherited his books, his guides to nature and philosophy - a massive, much-loved library. We shared the joy of history and hungered curiousity discourses of theology (His Bibles all were marked by ink, as if reminding me to "think"!) Then we lost my sister too and I received a bag of shoes because we both had tiny feet so all her heels were passed to me! But her pumps were very high-- and my bare feet spread much too wide so I sat on the floor and cried fingering the leathering straps of femininity... so delicate--her pretty things, her skinny "Cinderella" feet... But I knew they had to go. I strapped them into pairs and hoped that someone else would love them as much as I knew Cathy had. I reached deeper in the bag growing smaller, sulking sad and then a felt a bit of fuzz, I yanked at it, so curious! Then out it came--a hobo toe! I laughed. I cried. I hugged them both. I had a "present" afterall! And oh I wear them, proud and tall. A pair of shoes to match my feet. My sister knew me perfectly for she had left a gift for me, with painted toes, remarkably, her very favorite shade of red! She's with me when I go to bed and waits each day for me to rise reminding me to smile and be myself--and live on happily celebrating family  and live and love and laugh. * * * * * |
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| © Copyright 2007 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
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aziza Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy! |
Oh God, I laughed as I wiped my tears. You are wonderful! A |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thank you A--I neglected to thank a dear friend though, who helped me size the pic and such. Thank you Mysteria Sharon, for helping me to carpe' depoem!  I love you guys.  |
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icequeen Senior Member
since 2001-12-09
Posts 633FL USA |
I can barely type through the tears, here. Girl, this is just absolute perfection. Your sister has never left - you see her every day you look at your feet....and she sees you each time you wear them. Those hobo toes are priceless, as are the two of you. No, those we lose are never lost - we may feel lost, but they are with us as long as we let them stay. And, you fixed my raging heart with this. "Serenity Blaze" - indeed you are. I owe you for this one, K....thank you. Caroline |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
awwww... sighing, thinking of my sister this morning before I even read this. Sometimes I need that bit of cheerleading aimed at me...missing it.  M |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
supurb writing, can't help but fall in love with the innuendos of your poems...specific rhymes which express great emotions, but the ending of this, was unlike it's subject...a surplus of greatness, almost like she knew these were just for Karen. Hugs...and thank you for sharing such a great moment, not to mention, the photo, and the LOL |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
What can I say Karen? You brought smiles and tears this morn. This is precious...the poem and the pic. I love it..absolutely love it, AND you! I remember you writing about your brother's library you received. Then I could picture you going through the bag of shoes from your sis... fingering the leather, remembering her, but so sad cause they wouldn't fit. And then...at the bottom of the bag...magic.. oh so wonderful..from tears to smiles.. Thank you Serenity..for the smiles this past week or so. This has been great fun..and I so much enjoy a fun challenge.  Love ya lady~ Nance  . |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
Challenge met and a wonderful story told!!! believe in what your heart feels... |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
K~ You know you touch in ways you might not know you touch~ You know ? Yeah, you know~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Ah geez, I never cry dang it all! I am now...  ...but it feels good for some reason, yanno?The entire poems shakes you but the part about Keith, well, I don't have the words. |
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Janette
since 2001-07-20
Posts 2843Chicagoland for now |
"so I sat on the floor and cried fingering the leathering straps of femininity..." And I sat here and cried, fingering my mouse, reading this blue page, and then burst out laughing with delight. always seeking joy, adventure and romance and wishing you find the same |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Sweetiebug Ser, that is about as close as one could ever come to owning a pair of REAL ruby slippers, and it doesn't even take clicking three times to take you "home." This poem is a real treasure in everyway and I feel a little bit of heaven smiling down on it. hugs you.....jojo |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
O-toerageously wonderful! |
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Allysa
since 1999-11-09
Posts 1952In an upside-down garden |
I love it, lady. :hug: I used to have gorilla feet slippers. They were fantastic. |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
I laughed I cried "fingering the leathering straps of femininity... so delicate--her pretty things, her skinny "Cinderella" feet..." I had one of those tiny little sisters too you brought her to my mind so clearly... |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
My other sis, "twist" just read it--and she's requested I put it up on "our" site (her site really) but that's a sure stamp of approval! Thank you all for reading, and I have just one more shoe poem. It's still in my head though, but it should be ready soon.  Thanks all, and yep, the shoe stories are fun.  |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
You got to me again. Loved this. The whole of it and your deep love for your sis. thanks. martyjo |
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Angel4aKing Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372USA |
This made me cry, My sisters are not in my life right now, we hardly speak. When they are gone and hopefully it won't be soon, I know it will hurt no matter what we are going through now. Take Care!! This is absolutely perfect poetry!!!! JulieAnn ~~~kingsangel~~~ |
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Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
Hats pass the love Mugs send the care Books fresh the thought Shoes hold the share everything in memory the gas for our life. Now you pass to us, We feel the same bless love, laugh and free flown tears take away all stress. beautiful |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
This is wonderful Karen .... as are you. Holding you in my heart of hearts. Chrislane |
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jjote Senior Member
since 2002-12-25
Posts 1088Ontario, Canada |
I was wondering when you'd come to the "shoes" part- but I guess you saved the best for last - lovely and touching. BTW, how's this shoe challenge - are there guidelines, or rules. I've just come back to this site after a long long while of absence, so that's why.. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
 those cheery red nails would challenge even Scrooge to a YIPPEE attitude! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Kacy? It's so good to see ya rollin' around the floor again! and jjote? The perimeters of the challenge are pretty loose--no pics required (but they are fun) the poem just has to have something, anything to do with shoes. Here's the thread from the challenge forum: /pip/Forum7/HTML/000720.html And thanks all, for taking my family into your hearts as your own. Ya'll are just beautiful. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for the laughter and the tears. I have a pair of rabbit slippers called Ambi and Dextrous, and a pair of teddy bear slippers called Teddy and Bear. - Owl |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
And here I thought my Owl had flown away... smile so very happy to see you lovie thank you |
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TinaTrivett Senior Member
since 2006-07-15
Posts 569 |
This made me cry....what a wonderful gift from your sister. |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
What an excellent read. I so enjoyed this! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I think these replies to this particular poem gratify more than most. For my sister-- Cathy H. Simon 1-13-51 --- 3-27-05 Not a single day goes by that I do not think of you and miss you, Cathy. Thank you all--you share my life so thoughtfully and graciously. It's a comfort. |
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