simplify

you bend over
in the rain
rushing to the bus
to tie your shoe.
the shoelace
breaks
when you pull
it too tight,
it's been worn
and wet
so often
that the threads
are bare.
you knot
the broken
ends together
making it
short and hard
but it works
well enough
to get you through
the day. you
ponder a life
with just loafers.