Shoes Poem by Randy McClave

I could never walk a mile in a black man's shoes
Even though that designation I did choose,
I could not walk the destinations that he has been
Knowing the journey might lead to the lions den.
After much thought and a very soulful analysis
I know that I could never compare my shoes to his,
I could not ever judge him by his shoe's soles
Seeing the marches and protests in the many holes.
I could only imagine the tears and the many scruffs
Which were created by marches and/ or fisticuffs
I could not ever imagine the miles or the marches
I could only imagine the pain in his arches.
Never could I walk a mile in the shoes that a black man has wore
Though I have strapped on boots for combat and war
But, I can lace up my boots, and walk beside of him
And together as brothers, we can walk through bedlam.

Randy L. McClave