If she’s surprised She hides it well Better than I do
I give my tongue a little How-dare-you bite
‘What about girls?’ She asks
And I’m not sure How to Answer
‘Well –’ I start
‘Not just Girls’ She nods
Encouraging me to go on
‘But girls And girls’
I let out a big breath Long and slow A steady Whoosh
‘Girls and girls?’ She repeats And I nod
‘Girls and girls’
I tell her about Chloe I tell her about her nail polish And her magic tricks
And how she always has a banana at lunch And writes the date in gold gel pen on her homework And how I notice these things And how I’m starting to think I know why