SHOES FOR LEANN

(An original poem by Mitch, aka Handsomea)

She pressed her wishful face against
the window of the shoe store
Leann could only look
she could do no more

She never asked much for herself
but there was to be a special day
the senior prom was coming soon
her eyes closed, she started to pray

Born to a kind but frail mother and a
father whose health was in retreat
there was no money for shoes
Leann had no cover for her feet

Often people would give her shoes
When they were about to be discarded
they were not her own nor new
Leann stayed broken hearted

Hardworking Riley Pickett, Jr. moved to
this eastern Kentucky town to ply his trade
the sign on his shop front simply said
“shoes repaired, custom boots made”

Leann’s mother hurried to answer the knock
anxious for a visitor, she opened the door wide
Riley softly said, “I made shoes for Leann”
Mrs. Fairchild motioned for him to step inside

He carefully handed Leann the box
“I hope these shoes will suit your taste
they are fine for walking and dancing too
if there is a caring arm about your waist”

Leann whirled gaily around the floor
Riley’s shirt was soaked with sweat
she was having the best time of her life
the evening was for dancing, no time to sit

(TWO YEARS TO THE DAY AFTER THE SENIOR PROM, LEANN FAIRCHILD, 19, MARRIED RILEY PICKETT, JR.,25. DRIVING AWAY TO THEIR HONEYMOON DESTINATION LEANN ASKED HIM TO STOP IN FRONT OF THE SHOE STORE. HE DID NOT ASK THEN, NOR DID HE EVER ASK WHY. LEANN GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND PRESSED HER FACE TO THE WINDOW OF THE SHOE STORE FOR THE LAST TIME. GIGGLING, SHE SAID, ‘‘OH YOU ARE MIGHTY POWERFUL. I ASKED YOU FOR NEW SHOES FOR MY PROM, AND YOU GAVE ME THE SHOEMAKER TO BOOT. I PROMISE I WILL BE A GOOD PERSON THE REST OF MY LIFE’’ SHE WAS.)

--copyright applied for, no reproduction or other use of this poem without the written expressed consent of the author is permitted.

Song: Bluesette Paris Waltz



Created by LJ for Handsomea
6-6-2000

Links to Mitch's other beautiful Poetry pages