Put Me In Your Shoe Poem by Nna Joseph Odinakachukwu

Put Yourself in My Shoes

When the sight is dimming,
and awareness flickers like a fading light,
put yourself in my shoes.

When the body grows frail,
shaking with the weight of time,
stop…
look at me,
put yourself in my shoes.

When you believe your judgement is stronger,
when you think I am lost from reality,
remember me.

The headmaster was once a schoolboy.
Put yourself in my shoes.

Give me a hug,
give me a moment,
show me the kindness of a smile.

Though this season is beyond my control,
or perhaps I am waving my final rose,
put yourself in my shoes.

This frailty,
this trembling,
this drifting dreamland—
once stood upright,
strong,
and full of hope.

Put yourself in my shoes.

This fractured awareness,
once burned brightly with aspiration.
These dimmed eyes
have watched countless sunrises,
and have seen the birds fall from the sky.

So when I wander,
when memory loosens its hold,
when silence speaks louder than words,
do not only see what I have become.

See the life I have lived.
See the person still within.

And, for just a moment,
put yourself in my shoes.