Boys Poem by Bonnie Shipman

boys
the first time i've written about them
they make me laugh
sometimes i make them laugh instead
and i like that
their eyes
are beautiful, but not like girls' eyes,
cause girls
look at you differently
they hug
but holding their hand can be more personal
than that hug
cute
sometimes quiet, even insecure, but most
won't show it
strong
and it's okay that they like cars, and games, and
other things i don't
it can be fun to hear them talk
even if i can't join in
i like
to make them answer questions, and sometimes
they even ask one back
boys are loud when they are happy
but then they smile a quiet smile
just before they leave, and i remember—
to think
about how they feel other things, too, and so i like
boys

6/4/2011