Four Lines

There are some things you should tell a person

like when their shirt is untucked

or you like their hair

or when they’ve got something in their teeth.

There are some things that you should not say

like when someone looks fat

or they talk funny

or you don’t like their siblings.

And there are some things people just know

like when someone has good energy

or when they need to talk

or when you’re going to be good friends

But today you asked me to introduce myself

and I did not know how to say my name

or tell you I survived

or whether I should mention my lack of family

or if I should tell you why I sleep so much

and what my nightmares were last night

or what my father used to say

and where I was when my grandfather died

why my grandma loves that song

or why I am uncomfortable hot springing with someone I know

and why I don’t ride in cars

There are sometimes when you play it safe

follow the rules

reveal only enough

keep it to four lines

Request permission to use this poem

Hello PoetryVoting