Untied

Haven't tried poetry in awhile, so bear with me... I had one particular student in mind when I wrote this one.


Untied
The ragged ends of shoelaces drag on the floor
picking up the dirt and grime
left behind
by the newer shoes of others.

The backs slip off
slap
slap
as soles hit the tile
a steady beat of too big shoes
made bigger by the loosened strings.

He never ties them
just pulls the laces tight
only for them to come loose again
only for the backs to slip off
slap
slap
against the tile
only for the ends to drag
dirty and frayed on the floor
vulnerable
and waiting
to be stepped on.