SHOELACE

I had a pair of black ones.
In my entire childhood,
used to put to work
when someone tied knots
or the headmaster loosened the ends of a rope
tied to the tricolor.

Soon, my feet grew.
Became larger for the veranda
of my ancestral house
that used to host cricket matches.
I had a couple of pairs then
white ones, whitish-grey;
licking the dust around the country.

Now, I have stopped
tying them,
even paying attention
to those little things
of pride;
decade old cravings.
Preferring simple ones
without shoelaces.
_________________________________

(2012)