Shoelaces - July 31, 2025

before we understand kindergarten

hierarchy that ranges from bully

to best friend, meet teachers,

crossing guards and the principal

when his dreaded office becomes

something to fear,

we learn to tie shoelaces

and on that first time we separate

from mom and dad, we feel the day’s

eternity squeeze our tiny hearts

that part of us grows very slowly

while the rest turns taller, smarter,

stronger, more confident

and becomes the parent of the other,

comforts and protects it at all costs

and when the day finally arrives and

the older heart suddenly wants to leave,

you know you must let go

with no time to dress it or comb its hair,

you wave and watch it run off

shoes still untied