I renounced shape

a long time ago,

chose

bagginess,

endless

recess-

ivity,

but there are days

when the longing

returns

and I cannot abide

the sterile cynicism

of the Anti Couples Club,

the smug peddlers

of Uni-sole Advaita.

I know it means

the saga of

two old shoes

all over again,

their grubby leather unions,

tales of childhood,

prejudice, toe jam, politics,

laces in a perpetual snarl

of knots,

footprints,

footprints.

But some days

I’m idolater enough

to want it again:

that old charade,

otherness.