Dead Man's Shoes Poem by Samuel Richard Leonard

He woke up that morning
overwhelmed with fright,
heard no birds chirping
just his momma's cries.

The sound sent him reeling
but sadness became delight
when through his mommas weeping
he learned his daddy died.

She looked at him fearing
for what was next in her life
so he said to her endearing,
"it's gunna be alright."

That house was full of fury
from bottles emptied in the night
his room tense and weary
with air heavy from the fights.

When the funeral came he left early
out of anger and spite
for the service from the clergy
felt far too nice.

Years went by in a flurry
till his momma closed her eyes
and he wept for her dearly
with his children by his side.

They looked up at him worried
seeing their Pappas' tears for the first time
and asked, "Where's your daddy?
we know he can make this right."

He saw their sincerity,
and blessed their hearts in his mind
as he thought about his daddy
in the days before he'd died.

Tears shed now were happy
and his heart beat with pride
as he saw his victory
through the love of his child's eyes.
- Samuel Richard Leonard