it was so hard in those years
growing into my teens
kept on a parental leash
wanting female companionship
without knowing what to say
and how to listen to what was said
>
at 21, I was emotionally aged 14
but somehow was blessed with
women wanting my companionship
and I began the transition from writing
unattainable people’s names in notebook margins
to learning what to say
and when to say nothing—
especially to not overreact
to hearing the word “no”
