Sneakers
by Alexander Motyl


I’ve had these sneakers for fifteen years,
give or take a few—
which, if you think about it,
is quite a run,
especially for cheap shoes
that sensible folk discard after a year or two.
Now, I’ve no doubt—
indeed, I’m absolutely sure—
they’d be long kaput,
were it not for my devotion,
constant care, and exceptional solicitude.
What I mean is this:
when a part comes apart,
I apply a special glue,
let both sides dry, but only a bit,
then squeeze them tight—
and before you know it,
they’re as good as new.
Well, not quite, of course:
glue can do wonders,
but it can’t save a shoe
that’s crossed the Rubicon, as it were.
Obviously, I could throw them out
and buy another pair,
but, if you think about it,
there’s far too much at stake
to act so thoughtlessly.






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