Bad Habit

Mum used to tie my brother's shoelaces.
She would glide through his protests and tantrums
to make neat little knots around his ankles.

He was fourteen and he still couldn't tie his own shoelaces.
She could have settled for Velcro.
But mum still bought him lace-up Converse
for what perversity I don't know.

Now mum doesn't come home anymore.
My brother has Velcro shoes, just like he wanted.
Every morning he sits in front of the door
Converse out, two strands of shoelaces
Arranged neatly beside.