Inside my shoes

are my feet 

that have been running since I was 2.

At first I ran

hoping to be chased—

by my big brothers, 

my big sister, 

maybe even one of my parents.

Eventually I ran 

to get away—

from my big brothers, 

my big sister, 

maybe even one of my parents.

Inside my shoes 

are feet with scars— 

hardship 

fear 

sadness

loss.

Inside my shoes 

are feet with stories—

standing up

Strength

resilience

victory.

Inside my shoes

are feet that still run— 

sometimes, when I don’t want to,

but I do it anyways because I know that it 

makes 

me 

stronger.

Inside my shoes

are feet that run

around the block, 

across the bridge, 

toward a 3K 

and maybe eventually a half marathon 

Running toward myself

In promises of  

progress and 

healing.

#VerseLove prompt: Write about a scar, one that may be physical in nature or one that might be more  emotional. To get started, think about these questions: Where did it come from? How did you get it? Who was with you at the time? What is the story that goes with the scar?  What would the scar say about you? etc. 

I was also inspired by poet-researcher Dr. Darius Phelps who prompted me to write “In My Shoes.”