Walking On Shoetops
by Ronald Bearwald
He sees me coming and turning stops,
With upstretched arms runs through the door.
He hardly can wait to mount my shoetops,
His tiny feet on mine just above the floor.
His eyes say take me anywhere.
I lead our dance and stride with ease.
We glide as one first here then there.
He thinks he’s riding on a breeze.
This playful ritual someday will cease.
In its place a silent truth we’ll choose.
When life gets heavy and lacking peace
We need to walk on someone’s shoes.
To do so means to choose surrender.
Yes, give up winning and saving pride.
Childlike trust is what will render
Acceptance of a saving ride.
Ron Bearwald (he/him/his) is a career educator, former school district CEO, university professor and department chair, certified leadership trainer, contracted mentor, author, and poet. He received his baccalaureate degree from Beloit College, a master's degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and completed doctoral studies at Indiana University. His poetry has been accepted for publication in Last Leaves, Macrame Literary Journal, and Paddlers Press. He has also been published in Natural Life; American Trails; Educational Leadership.
