The Soul in Their Soles

A little silly, but based on my true feelings.

I took out my shoes and

Prepared them to tie,

When my mother did stop,

And begin to decry:

"Those shoes, they're so ugly!

So tattered and old!

Put on something nice,

Something more handsome and bold.

I looked down at the shoes,

And I had to admit,

They looked pretty rough

With their rips and their grit.

But I stood my ground firmly,

And when I looked back,

There was fire in my eyes

And passion on my track.

"Well, Mother, I concede

They're not the best to look at,

But I also must tell you

That looks aren't all that.

A new pair may look nice,

In the sun it may glow,

But if I may pose a question,

Where is the soul?

Not the base of the shoe, no,

The person at its core,

It's the only real reason

That I favor these more.

They have age, they have years,

They have grit, they have dirt,

They have holes unimaginable

And they've seen lots of hurt.

They're battered and beaten,

They're ripped and they're torn,

But it's all of these things

That show they're well-worn.

The new shoes, they're nice,

But they just can't compare

To the soul of these soles

And the warmth of their wear.

So no matter how much

You complain and deride,

I will always choose this pair

Until the day that they die.

Author's Note

I need some help with the flow and the transmission of the message. Please help!

Reviews

[Valeigh Starr]

One typo before I begin: In the third line of the fourth stanza from the end, you left out "have."
Setting that aside, at first this read like a Dr. Seuss book, which made me feel immediately familiar with the story even though I've obviously never read it before. I love the meter, and there's only one point where it falls apart. I'd change 'bottom' to 'base,' and then everything fits into the meter easily enough and your flow is beautiful.
I also love the tribute to well-worn, beloved objects that simply cannot be replaced with brand new things. That's a great and relatable message, which I think is conveyed excellently through your use of rhyme and meter (which happen to be the most traditional poetic colors that will never be completely replaced by the more abstract elements we use.) So really, your flow is a syllable away from working, and your message comes across wonderfully clear without beating anyone over the head or slipping out of the narrator's voice to say it.

[Jared Michael Smith]

I greatly appreciate the thought you put into this review! Not only was it constructive, but it was also encouraging. I truly do thank you from the bottom of my heart. :)

[Valeigh Starr]

You're quite welcome! I enjoyed reading the poem :)

[Jared Michael Smith]

I'm glad. :)