Alexa Daskalakis

Your Shoelace Is Untied​

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“Your shoelace is untied,” she said.
Just that. Nothing more.

He flinched.
Laughed, too hard.
“Oh, so I can’t even walk now?”

She tilted her head.
“No. I just didn’t want you to fall.”

He rolled his eyes.
“Right. Because I need saving?”

She didn’t answer.
Some people hear warning
and call it an insult.
Some would rather trip
than be seen steadying themselves.

It wasn’t criticism.
It wasn’t control.
It was kindness.

But pride makes everything
sound like a threat.
And then, when they fall—
they blame the ground.