Poems by
Nikhil Chandhok

Autobiography of a Shoe

a poem by Nikhil Chandhok

My name is Lotus Bawa,
And was bought from the island of Java.
My owner is on a sail,
Merry drinking wine and ale.
And when he is back,
I am removed from the rack.
Rapped in immense dust,
Master looks at me with disgust.
Gone are the days when one foot-tap,
Would send the sandals in a trap.
My sporty cousin,
Is in a good state.
He loves running,
Resting he does hate.
Even though purchased late,
For the Master he had to never wait.
My cousin from the States,
Has a different fate.
He is cleaned round the clock,
Since he is a ‘Reebok’.

There is an amusing story,
Behind my brother Reebok.
Trekking-love once forced my owner,
To once climb a massive rock.
He climbed the target,
But only with a lonely sock.
Blisters spoilt the party,
Dear! He could barely walk.
The very next day,
Came a sailing knock.
It was then that he purchased him,
When reporting at the U.S Dock.

But I have seen a better time,
In my glowing prime.
Sporting that rich glossy shine,
The ladies were all mine.
I remember it was ‘Nike’ first,
As they say : Sick of Love-Thirst!
She had asked me to JUST DO IT.
But I was cautious,
And asked her to first prove it.
Eager to tie the knot,
She married my stout friend ‘Bata’.
I gave away my love, said ‘OK TATA’.

Next was the glorious La-Bella,
Who reminded me of Dicken’s Estella.
Charming, gorgeous, flamboyant and tall,
Name it, she had it all!
Together a few days we did spend,
But I must tell you the end.
Out of me she made an ass,
When she laced-up with ‘Addidas’.
But the rest was still due,
And it happens with very few.
As in maturity I grew,
I found the love that was true.
Florina was her name,
And we both felt the same!
Oh! I loved her so.
How much? You will never know.
But this affair was to dramatically end,
Which is still tough to apprehend.

A rousy gangster named ‘Force-10’,
Held my darling tight.
Stripped her off silken laces bright,
And gave her a derogatory Shoe-Bite!
Before being torn to shreds,
Florina put up a good fight.

Agony was apparent in her open mouth,
As she was in fright.
I cannot remember if I cried,
When I lay by her side,
Something touched my SOLE inside,
The day Florina died.

A part of history now,
Are all my Love-tales.
The only life-inducing tonics,
Are some strongly hammered nails.
A new branded sole helps,
If old one fails.

As do noble cobblers say,
A little bit of Shoe – Polish,
Keeps us happy and gay.
Tapping around the female footwear,
Makes our day.
Beware Hawaii Chappals and Floaters!
We are here to stay!