The woman that walks
a third of his pace has
energy behind her eyes
yet it does
not turn into anger or yells
The young man that runs
on three hours of sleep does
try his best to clean the house
and keep the lawn flawless
free of dust and dry leaves
When there are secrets
and conversations with particular
audiences
that happen only in particular houses
then these ties
become rituals
and courtesy, manners
Politeness, ways
of not shedding more tears
smiles
and restrained laughs
hands clasped tightly in front of
ironed, buttoned shirts
Ways of not
inciting questions
and not inflaming
passions
or even
curiosities
I am, says
he ,
always a good
kid
