The Shoe Man...

Here is something i picked up when i started browsing internet something like 10 yrs ago .This poem is the one with which i started my collection. A true to the heart piece, it makes you think again. Kudos to the poet!!!!

THE SHOE MAN

(Submitted with our great thanks from a Daily Inspiration subscriber.)

My alarm went off,
It was Sunday again.
I was sleepy and tired,
My one day to sleep in.

But the guilt I would feel
The rest of the day
Would have been too much,
So I'd go and I'd pray.

I showered and shaved,
I adjusted my tie,
I got there and sat
In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer
As I closed my eyes,
I saw the shoe of the man next to me
Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side,
I thought, "Why must our soles touch?"
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine,
But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: "Our Father"
I thought, "This man with the shoes has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched
Even worse, there are holes on the side!"

"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer,
But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best
When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it,"
I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended
And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud,
Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters,
His hands were raised high,
The Lord could surely hear
The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering
And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached
Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out,
What the shoe man put in,
Then I heard a soft "clink"
as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me
To tears, and that's no lie
It was the same for the shoe man,
For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service,
As is the custom here,
We must greet new visitors
And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow
And wanted to meet the shoe man
So after the closing prayer,
I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark,
And his hair was truly a mess
But I thanked him for coming,
For being our guest.

He said, "My name is Charlie,
I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes
But he had a large, wide grin

"Let me explain," he said
Wiping tears from his eyes.
"I've been coming here for months,
And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"

"I know that my appearance
"Is not like all the rest,
"But I really do try
"To always look my best."

"I always clean and polish my shoes
"Before my very long walk
"But by the time I get here,
"They're dirty and dusty, like chalk."

My heart filled with pain and
I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize
For daring to sit so near.

He said, "When I get here,
"I know I must look a sight.
"But I thought if I could touch you,
"Then maybe our souls might unite."

I was silent for a moment
Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison.
I spoke from my heart, not my head

"Oh, you've touched me," I said,
"And taught me, in part,
"That the best of any man
"Is what is found in his heart."

The rest, I thought,
This shoe man will never know. ...
Like just how thankful I really am
That his dirty old shoe touched my soul...

Think about it ~!!!

Destiny awaits us all & I hate to be late !!!
Cheers,
M.Sudhir Eswaran

Shadows in the sun !!!

Today i happened across this movie playing on Star Movies - "Shadows in the sun". As it was starting , i thought id spend some time watching it. It was a story of a legendary writer who stopped writing abruptly and was trying hard to come to terms with the death of his wife. A simple portrayal and elegant cast puts the story at ease. It lacked dramatics and was better for it.There is this character of a priest who tries to help an editor whose visiting the writer with hopes of getting a contract signed. He explains that in life we all are birds soaring high with cares thrown at the wind. When we do hurt our wings we crash down so hard that we fear to fly again.He says it takes a strong wind to lift us high once to help us realize ourselves. Truly an analogy beyond all the complexities of life isnt it? bt think again , our work, commitments and dreams are the wings which we believe keeps us flying. Once they are broken , we fear to rise again . We fear to fly high as we have been instilled with the fear of hurting ourselves. Dont we all fail to notice that our dreams , work , pride , money or hard work do not matter even a fraction of the urge to fly. We do fly because we want to not because we have wings !!!! You have hurt your wing? Good !!! Cause u shall find another injured wing and you shall realize the higher pleasures of flying together. To hell with the saying that God helps those who help themselves. Its just that God helps those who helps others. How ignorant we humans are to think we make the shadows when the sun actually does?? We are not here to do what we want, we are here to do something god wanted to do for someone else!!! Life is a fresh page and we are intended to write it only once, How beautiful shall it be if we just use the lines that god has given us !!!! We are not making the shadows , we are just making "Shadows in the Sun"!!!!!


Cheers to life my friends!!!
M.Sudhir Eswaran

Finally ... I surrender!!!

After nearly being very aware and even more wary of it for more than a year, i have started blogging. i really feel this is just another place where im denied to use my own handwriting and does not merit my full respect and consideration. Ugly as it might be , my handwriting is still a vital part of my character. :-) It has been a struggle to preserve the true me for years now. The only remainder of my past is my handwriting.From School staff to tuition masters to my parents and the guy behind me in exams, they detested my handwriting more than anything! The intrusion of the computer into my lifestyle was the final nail in the coffin. But still beware my friends! It is my identity and shall remain so. So a resume for my professional life, my handwriting is the true reflection of my inner self- Reckless... Ugly.... Passionate.... Eccentric..... Powerful!
Thus my first blog comes to an end! Expect more cause im completely vetti !

Dare to Dream , Care to Achieve.
Signing off...
M.Sudhir Eswaran