four studs, a logo and three leather strips

11Jan07

yes, i notice footwear. sometimes people find it odd, coming as it is from the guy who polishes his shoes every other year.

and yes, i enjoy the sight of pretty little feet pushed forward on the floor, coy yet unabashed, in  a striking contrast to the ankle-length dull-emerald shalwar. they appeal to the inner aesthetic, the one who believes that we should find life in beauty, not look for beauty in life. what bothers me is the pair of sandals. more specifically, the mercedes logo type three pointed star which holds the three strips of leather together. the one distraction that belies the self belief in those, for want of a better word, “un-made-up” feet.

years ago those feet would have been all i needed to fall headlong into yet another wild crush. i would have turned on the flattering, self deprecating charm; felt the adrenaline rush that comes with deciding that you’re in love, had the same butterflies in my stomach, churned out some more nonsensical mushy poetry and maybe read all of erich segal again. in other words, i’d have made a complete ass of myself again while being categorized as just another “corny but harmless” lovesick puppy.

now all i do is give an appreciative inner smile while keeping up the “i’m committed elsewhere” facade.

irritatingly that is what prompts the elbow pokes and knowing grins and stage whispers everytime i look down at the floor. ironic, huh? in irony we lead the world.

but to be fair, maybe my listening to noor jehan’s dil dharaknay ka sabab yaad ayaa over and over again has something to do with it. never mind.

Filed under: the sweet stench of life   |  14 Comments