Footsteps

You’re trying to follow in his footsteps,

echo the pace of his long gone footsteps.

Small fingers struggle to tie the laces,

secure your feet, imitate his footsteps.

Wishing for a father who would have stayed,

Too young to protest against his footsteps.

Your feet are too small to fit in his shoes,

your posture too weak to hold his footsteps.

Years later, he’s gone but the shoes remain,

tempting you to slip into his footsteps.

Stepping into his shoes, they’re still too big.

You can never follow in his footsteps.