Performed by Val Cole

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POEM:

Tell me how pretty I am, buy me a necklace, and swiftly steal my heart. Take me to the zoo and whisper in my ear

that I am more beautiful and esoteric than the black panther, perched on a fake plastic tree behind his glass prison walls.

Come to my house and shake my brothers’ hands. Be greeted by my mother, and fall half in love with her, too.

When my father is done working for the day and finally lumbers down the stairs, shake his hand and call him sir.

Look him in the eye, and ask him how the Eagles are doing this weekend.
Always hold my hand in public, and make sure I am never on the street side of the sidewalk. Hold my purse, open

the car door for me, and tie my shoes. Reapply my sunscreen once every hour and a half. Pick me up in the mornings and drive me to school.

Kiss me, and you’re halfway there.

Take every chance you can to see me. When you leave my house for the night, take me home with you. Leave school on Thursday afternoons and go back Monday mornings, just to be with me.

Invite me to your brother's 10th birthday party. Take me to your family’s Christmas celebration. Teach me Spanish so that I can better understand your little cousin’s jokes. Tell me about your father’s funeral.

Read my favorite books, listen to my favorite music, watch my favorite movies, and do my favorite things. Start speaking like me, start thinking the same things are funny.

Ask me why I don’t seem to like kissing you. Get confused by my reply. Start eating more and lifting weights.

Stop taking me on dates, but still spend all your time with me. Just cuddle and watch anime while paying half of our attention to our phones.

When I tell you we should take a break, know it’s over. I will not accept the birthday present you get me four months from now. I will not pity you when, five months later, you drunkenly confess to my brother how much you miss me.

Reach out to find that I’ve lost your number. You’re just somebody that I used to know.