Mutually Understood Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If you come with game,
I have been trained to hunt.
Although I would rather not,
Provide my qualifications...
To prove I am prepared,
With a doing of those stunts.

I would rather sit and enjoy,
A relaxing chit chat.
I am not the one,
Seeking with a need...
To watch my back.

If you believe me easy to deceive,
Because I am approachable and show respect...
With a sincerity to give shown to detect.
Don't take my kindness for weakness,
To perceive I am free of life experiences.
Since you will be left regretting your suspicions.
And getting from me what you did not expect.

The time I spend with anyone to give it,
Is not meant for play to display a hidden agenda.
Unless it has been agreed upon,
There will be some days for play and fun to go on.
But after comprehending the ending of those limits.
And with it mutually understood,
When shoes are taken off to expose toes...
A stepping on them to do is not an invitation.

'I don't understand.'

I know you don't.
And as long as we both keep our shoes on,
Let's first establish our comfort zones.
To understand just where they are.
With a leaving behind the playing of hide and seek.

'You're different from anyone I have ever met.'

I know.
So let us both maintain that sharing of respect.
In all ways.

'But...I am not here to play games.
Nor am I trained to hunt.'

Sounds good to me.
Do you approve of us removing our shoes?

'Why not?
I would rather sit and enjoy,
A relaxing chit chat.
I am not the one,
Seeking with a need...
To watch my back,
Either.'