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