When a girl says kiss me, be careful. She may not know what she is asking. She may not know what she wants. Some girls never do.
Ask her what she wants. Assure her there are no wrong answers.
If she says she needs time give her all your clocks. If its space she wants construct a rocket—send her there. Mean what you say. Girls do not like to be lied to. Mean what you say.
Kiss her but do not expect anything. Girls disdain expectations.
Do not discard her as just another one or mistake her as a wonder carved from the skin of the moon. Girls are special; not unique. They are hair, hide. Teeth, thumb. Bone, brain. Wondrous vessels composed of hellos, heartbeats. Goodbyes, gums. Their bodies shaped like cellos or pears. As unpredictable and powerful as wind or waves. Listen to me my brother when I say “Welcome her crash with caution”.
Tell her you appreciate her entirety, even the rust. Build her a castle with the dust she’s swept under the rug. Undress her ghosts. Tell her, her ghouls are gorgeous. Palm her phantoms. Do not treat her like a problem to solve. You my friend, are not that advanced. She is not a book to be read then placed back on the shelf; a magazine to thumb through, a letter to be opened or sent out, some 44cent stamp. She is not an equation; so do not treat her like a number. Pull her close. Follow her breath. Study it. Listen.
Kiss her like rain. Kiss her like spark. Kiss her like whisper. Go slow. Let her hips guide you. Feel her meaningful. Thrust gentle. Move like you are giving something back instead of taking something from her. Never make her feel like she is an accident—even if you hate her—do not hate her. Accept her misunderstood.
Understand her uncomfortable. Love her awkward. Adore her whole. Respect her being. Embrace her difficult. Cuddle her complexity. Caress her chaos. Hold her honest. Take her broken; lick it perfect. Let her know she has always been a jawdropper. But do not put her on some pedestal, you may like her, too, much to hurt herself if she falls.
When a girl says kiss me, be careful.
She may not know what she is asking. And you may not anticipate
The haunting you may have when she doesn’t want you
to anymore.
Lacey – I heard you read this in Bellingham this week. Loved it! This sounds cheesy but your work really speaks to me. I purchased your books and have read them a couple times already. Thanks.
This is absolutely incredible.
goosebumps..
Lacey-
I have just found out about you and your work and I find it absolutely awe-inspiring. This piece is wonderful. I read this first then listened to you, and the way you spoke brought me tears. I could not find “Boy shark” on here but that poem of yours brought me to tears as well. I’ve never had poetry affect me the yours does. You truly connect with people. Absolutely amazing. Nevada could definately use your spectacular words.
Extraordinary; I can’t think of any other words to say you than, extraordinary.
I really love your work it’s changed the way I see poetry. I know this is a long shot but any chance you’ll be on the east coast anytime soon willing to do a reading in Buffalo, NY?
this probably wont happen, but is there any chance that you’d come to houston? please email me at rebekah.christman@gmail.com!
i love you Lacey Roop. you have helped me sooooo much.
Lacey, I think I’m in love with you.