Footprints - John McCutcheon

On the day that school let out

My sister and me

Walk the fields behind our house

To find our Christmas tree

She was six years older

So she led the way

As we a walked out to find the tree would have on Christmas day.

Now weeks of late November rain had brought the creek to flood

As we walked out across the field

Our boots sunk in the mud

I soon realized that I could step inside her prints so grand

Until it seemed like I was walked across the dries land

I was walking in your foot prints

Counting every step, measuring every move you made,

Every word you said, and I was dancing in your shadow, doing what you do.

I was learning how to be like me by being just like you.

Mom could hit a baseball

Lee could fly a kite,

Dad knew ever constellation in the sky at night

And Ann could sing about every song that Elvis ever sung

And it wasn’t long before it seemed like I knew everyone.

I was walking in your foot prints

Counting every step, measuring every move you made

Everyone word you said and I was dancing in your shadow, doing what you do.

I was learning how to be like me by being just like you.

I was watching how you walked and talked.

How you held you head.

Every joke that made you laugh.

Every book your read.

And how you did your best when no one seemed to care,

How you did you did your duty,

How you did your share.

Now as I grow older

It’s so easy to forget all the ones who follow after me

I can’t imagine yet

Who learn what I remember,

Who do what I done,

Every step I travel now

I walk for more than one.

I’m walking in your footprints

I’m counting every step

Measuring every move you made.

And every word you said.

I was dancing in your shadow.

I was learning how to be like me by being just like you.