Swapping Shoes: Empathy day poem about walking in someone else's shoes

It's nearly Empathy Day! So I decided to write an empathy day poem. Please check out this website!

"Walking in Someone Else's Shoes" may be the best subject you'll ever take.

Swapping Shoes

I wore your shoes

and walked a mile

They didn’t fit

They weren’t my style

They hurt a bit

but made me smile

and when I’d worn them

for a while

I smelt your fear

I touched your dreams

I felt your hope

I heard your screams

We swapped our shoes

One day in time

I found your way

and you found mine

Mark Bird

An empathy day poem: 'Swapping Shoes'

Creative Writing Poetry Lesson Ideas for Teacher:

Celebrate Empathy Day with a dynamic set of poetry, drama, and creative writing lesson ideas inspired by the Empathy Day poem, "Swapping Shoes." This emotionally rich poem offers a springboard into a range of classroom activities that promote understanding and compassion. Students can write empathy-themed diary entries, create symbolic shoe artwork, perform role-play scenes that explore different perspectives, or build sensory maps to deepen their connection to others’ experiences. Use spoken word performances to bring the poem to life, or have students rewrite it from the other person's point of view. These creative, hands-on activities not only enhance literacy skills but also build emotional intelligence and social awareness—making empathy a living, breathing part of your classroom.

Swapping_Shoes_Worksheet.docx

Download DOCX • 27KB

An empathy day poem about walking in each other's shoes.