This didn’t happen today, but it really did happen. It’s a funny story that I think fits the prompt Brian has presented for the dVerse Poets Pub’s Poetics feature today. Enjoy!
He Just Walked on By
I was walking the dog
Pretty much minding my own business
And here comes this kid
Walking down the sidewalk toward me
Pulling a shoe
Yep
This young fella was probably ten or eleven years old
Normal looking, nice-looking kid
He had a rope tied to a shoe
And was dragging the shoe along behind him
The shoe was flopping and bouncing around
And it was, to say the least, a comical sight
I smiled at him and said
As if I saw such sights every day
“Walkin’ your shoe?”
“Yep,” was all he said
No smile; no look of disdain
Don’t be a smart-ass old man
No sir, he just walked on by
I had to laugh
It was, after all, something I might have done
When I was his age
Hell… I might’ve even done it now
If I’d thought of it first
Copyright © 2012 C. Mashburn
There are stories about the kid and his shoe! Click here for the first one “When Does Weird Cross the Line”, then click the links at the bottom of that story to see the sequels.
Buy "Be Still" from WestbowPress.com
Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
claudia said
nice!!! i think i go for a walk with my shoe now…smiles
charlesmashburn said
You’re gonna get some funny stares, Claudia!
Mary said
Love this light-hearted poem, Charles! Sometimes we do have to do something that will take ‘the world’ by surprise. Walking a shoe isn’t a bad idea. LOL.
charlesmashburn said
I’m quite adept at taking the world by surprise. That’s why I liked this kid!
brian miller said
haha…what a trip…kids are cool…and sometimes a bit off their rockers as well…but hey if that was what he wanted to do, i am all for it…
charlesmashburn said
He probably wants a dog, and his parents won’t let him have one.
Sherry Mashburn said
Love this! Funny, funny!
charlesmashburn said
Ha!
hollyannegetspoetic said
I can just imagine this – so quirky and cute. And I love that neither party made any smart remarks. Just an ordinary day.1 Love it.
charlesmashburn said
He probably liked that part of it too!
Susan L Daniels said
Charles, this is great! Taking the shoe for a walk. Why not?
charlesmashburn said
Why not indeed!
Laurie Kolp said
What an adorable story… I can so easily picture this.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Laurie!
vivinfrance said
Wishful unfulfilled dog lover making the best of things.
charlesmashburn said
You’re probably right!
kelly said
big smile. perfect.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Kelly!
Bonita (@YummieBone) said
Urm, cringe time ~ I used to do this (because I really, really wanted a dog). This boy is my spiritual twin, thanks for sharing, I think 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Oh no! I’m sorry to bring up a sore subject!
hypercryptical said
Excellent – there is something to be said about being young…but we’re never to old to do crazy things…
Anna :o]
charlesmashburn said
I agree, Anna!
danadampier said
Oh my goodness, I love this! I would of been laughing too, I can just see it now.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dana! Thanks!
ayala said
Funny 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Ayala!
Grace said
ha..ha….This was so much fun Charles ~
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Grace!
pandamoniumcat said
Gorgeous I love that kid! Thanks for sharing this one Charles…I’ll have a smile all day and then some… 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Lovee it when I can make ’em smile!
lenwilliamscarver said
Hahahahaha this is wonderful, my grandson due to allergies when younger could not have animals but being a good gram I bought him a terry cloth dog for his birthday he walked it faithfully everyday. I suppose it won’t be long and this young man will have a dog to walk! Great when stories are true !
charlesmashburn said
I wonder if that was what he was saying. When I was a kid, I’d do things like that just for laughs. In fact, I still do things like that just for laughs.
lenwilliamscarver said
ahhh you are still childlike I have never known a grown man to admit that before. tis good my fellow blogger that you are that self assured and confident! LOL
charlesmashburn said
Oh, yes, Len. The child in me is still alive, and I doubt it will ever die.
lenwilliamscarver said
🙂 I reconnected with my inner child when the grandchildren came along…what a delight! Keep well my friend and God bless!
John (@bookdreamer) said
Love the image and story
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, John!
The Enfant Terrible said
This made me laugh! I love it. It’s almost like something out of a random dream (someone pulling a shoe).
charlesmashburn said
Yes, it is kind of like a dream isn’t it? I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The Enfant Terrible said
Yes, it is. I watched Inception again last night, so I’m all for random dreams. I did enjoy it! 🙂
Anna Montgomery said
Haha, I can easily imagine this thanks to your voice – of course, doesn’t everyone get the urge to walk their shoes. I wonder if it had a name or back story.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Anna! Thank you!
Jenne' Andrews said
Great spontaneity and directness here; you put us right there. That is quite an anomalous event… nice to offer it up just as it is– and love your marbles– don’t lose any…xxxj
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Jenne! I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and I’m gladyou like the marbles!