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They say it’s easiest if the girl has no father.
They say earn her trust, ask her questions.
How’s school? Do you have a boyfriend?
They say, don’t rush. It may take weeks, even
months. Lead conversations slowly toward more
private subjects. How far did you go with him?
Find small ways to touch her. Squeeze her arm
when she gets in the truck. Pat her thigh, laughing,
when she says something funny. Compliment her.
You have gorgeous eyes. Wow, you’re really smart.
You’re more mature than some women twice your age.
Be patient. One day, you’ll sense the moment is right.
With your left hand on the wheel, your eyes on the road,
use your right hand to press your advantage. Keep talking,
as if this is ordinary, normal. Something friends do.
Editor’s note: The New Verse News is honored to continue to host, in the wake of the news at Cornell, a series of courageous memoir poems.
They say earn her trust, ask her questions.
How’s school? Do you have a boyfriend?
They say, don’t rush. It may take weeks, even
months. Lead conversations slowly toward more
private subjects. How far did you go with him?
Find small ways to touch her. Squeeze her arm
when she gets in the truck. Pat her thigh, laughing,
when she says something funny. Compliment her.
You have gorgeous eyes. Wow, you’re really smart.
You’re more mature than some women twice your age.
Be patient. One day, you’ll sense the moment is right.
With your left hand on the wheel, your eyes on the road,
use your right hand to press your advantage. Keep talking,
as if this is ordinary, normal. Something friends do.
Editor’s note: The New Verse News is honored to continue to host, in the wake of the news at Cornell, a series of courageous memoir poems.
Christine Sikorski’s work has appeared in The New Verse News, coastlines review, Waterstone, Little Patuxent Review, Quartet, One Art, This Was 2020: Minnesotans Write About Pandemics and Social Justice in a Historic Year, and elsewhere. Her honors include a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant and Academy of American Poets Prizes. She has taught at two universities, the Loft Literary Center, a homeless shelter, a community center, and other venues. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.
