A single knot is

Often found on shoes

Tied half-heartedly.

A double knot is

Bound hastily

As your friends leave you,

Drifting like steam

Farther

And farther away.

Pitter-patter,

Their shoes against concrete

A storm forms

Along with clouds of confusion;

Acidic rain

Sting the skin.

Two o’clock

Time to kick-off

Soggy shoes

And reveal sweaty socks

Only to discover

Steel-tight laces

On shoes that

Grip your feet

Like shark teeth biting in flesh

Impossible to come off

Impossible to undo