Poetry competition CLOSED 19th September 2021 11:44pm
WINNER
Anonymous
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These boots were made for walkin’

Northern_Soul
-Missy-
Tyrant of Words
England 31awards
Joined 10th Jan 2021
Forum Posts: 5601

Poetry Contest

Write a poem inspired by shoes

For this comp I would like you to pick one of the shoes in the picture. Build a narrative around what that pair of shoes triggers for you and tell us about it in a poem.

Rules

• NO EROTICA.
• New writes only
• Up to two entries per human
• No video / image poems
• Any length
• Poetry, not prose please.
• Please list the number of the shoes you are using for inspiration in your author’s note.
• 2 weeks

Any questions, PM me.

Good luck 🤞🏻



javalini
Fire of Insight
United States 15awards
Joined 4th Apr 2019
Forum Posts: 201

THE LONG LIFE OF MY DEAR DEPARTED WORK BOOTS

good shoes
are like a trophy find
for those who
shop the thrifts
but boots are gold
especially when
those suckers rightly fit
i don't know who
wore them before --
they died? their feet were sore?
i wore those boots 'til soles dissolved
then taped and wore them more

certain items find their way
to their rightful home
from hand to hand
(or foot to foot)
they filter through the loam
those boots were mine all they time
they walked a stranger's floor
perhaps they made some arches ache
to end up at my door

and every day i put them on
and thought, "the gods are nice
to send me boots as good as these
at such a friendly price"
and through the years
i, in those boots,
trekked through field and wood
for shoes, like clothes,
can make the man

and those boots just
felt good

then, laces made of hay bale twine
and leather cracked and dry
i felt the earth beneath my feet
and rain that leaked inside
and yet i loved them all the same
they suited me somehow
the wife said
"man, you need some boots"
i said, "more tape for now"

but all things die
its just the way
gods made our world to stand
they fell apart
it broke my heart
to throw them in the can
Written by javalini
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TIG
Fire of Insight
United States
Joined 28th Mar 2018
Forum Posts: 43

Old Boot New Boot

 
(Hanging them up)
 
Ever since I was    
a new young recruit  
I was excited to wear  
many differing boots  
  
Some boots are rubber  
and some they are leather  
depending on events  
the hazard, or weather  
  
Maybe, pulling them on  
in middle of night  
protecting me (or someone else)  
from high Fahrenheit  
  
Those boots and I  
must go do our duty  
we challenge eachother  
and could both end up sooty  
  
Running up and down  
fires on the hills  
Coughing and sputtering  
in vibrem souled heels  
  
Just every day wear  
With steel in the toe  
or a pair of light rubber  
should swimming we go  
 
On a medical aid
or a lift back to bed
to prevent us from slipping
they must all have good tread
 
"Lacem and chasem"  
as the ole saying goes  
like a quick change artist  
now in safety clothes  
  
I have worn them all  
for now, thirty  years  
That's including the  
Time  that I volunteered  
  
It's been quite an honor  
to wear all of them  
If I had a do over  
I'd do it again  
  
The finish line now  
is so close I can see  
God ,please stay close  
I pray so humbly  
  
And when I step out  
of my last worthy pair  
to those left behind  
your all in my prayers  
  
Right on my heals  
there are excited recruits    
bless all of them
in their safety boots
Written by TIG
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Razzerleaf
Fire of Insight
United Kingdom 26awards
Joined 15th Sep 2019
Forum Posts: 487

There once was an ugly.....

I am the scratch mark  
on your last layer of paint,  
the stuck-out nail  
your hand snags against.  

The awkward walk  
of a cowboy’s gait,  
the turned away face  
with a glimpse of disgrace.  
 
The hand that covers  
a mouth of despair,  
the pure inhibition  
that lets children stare.  
 
The freak summer wave  
that makes the beach scream,  
the bloated carcass  
as you drink downstream.  
 
So I sit here alone  
and pour out a poem,  
dressed in the way  
that she gets to know him.  
 
Smooth out her dress,  
slip on her high heals  
and remind myself,  
just how good I feel.  
 
 
Written by Razzerleaf
Go To Page  

Northern_Soul
-Missy-
Tyrant of Words
England 31awards
Joined 10th Jan 2021
Forum Posts: 5601

Thank you for your entries Javalini, TIG, and Razzerleaf. Stella stuff chaps / chapettes.

Honoria
Tyrant of Words
United States 63awards
Joined 22nd July 2019
Forum Posts: 171

‘Twas Then ~

Silence…
 
Deafening…  
 
silence.  
 
Gazing round the room,  
painted in hues of soft greens and Ballerina pink,
awaiting its new occupant.
 
Above the rocking chair,
Faerie tale Queens and galant Knights in shining armor  
bow and dance amidst the border.
 
Smiling dolls  
that sparkle and shine as they burp then speak  
“I love you, mommy”
 
‘Twas then I smiled.  
 
Bookcases brimming
with old tales and new stories to engage our reader  
with adventures…and dreams.  
 
Double doors open  
to a world of high fashion ruffles and ribbons.  
for our burgeoning shopper.
 
Nothing, nothing-  
topped this world of illusion bigger or grander than the  
mystical canopied crib.  
 
Netted in tulle and lace  
accented embroidered pillows and downy blankets.  
To comfort in love, and safety.  
 
‘‘Twas then I sighed.
 
Upon the delicate  
hand painted step stool, of the moon and stars  
rested a pair of pink slippers…
 
Miniature in size  
and shaped to resemble two warm  
and cuddly bunnies.  
 
Just the style  
our high end fashionista would select  
trendsetting nighttime footwear.
 
‘Twas then I realized,
 
Our new occupant  
would never embrace the warmth  
of those sweet bunny slippers.  
 
 
 
‘Twas then I wept.
Written by Honoria
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poet Anonymous

<< post removed >>
_feral
Fire of Insight
United Kingdom 11awards
Joined 23rd Jan 2021
Forum Posts: 842

i went to war

 
 
 
 
with  
myself  
 
in a pair  
of black  
tank boots,  
 
i never  
arrived  
home.  
 
Written by _feral
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Honoria
Tyrant of Words
United States 63awards
Joined 22nd July 2019
Forum Posts: 171

Congratulations RiAN! Outstanding entry!

Missy, great subject for this competition. It was an awesome opportunity to explore a different voice. H🌷

poet Anonymous

<< post removed >>
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