She said let’s draw
but I didn’t know how.
It’s easy! He said,
Just let yourself go.
It’ll come naturally.
I tried to grin
but wondered if it came out like a grimace.
It felt like a grimace.

They were fine artists.
Not to say they were graphic artists
– which they were –
but were fine at it
and then they had invited me to join them
in their little game
and I so wanted to impress.
It’ll be fun! He cajoled
and she smiled so winsomely
and I did so want to impress
but I didn’t know how.

I didn’t know how to do anything they wanted
which became increasingly clear
as time went on
and communication intensified.

I tried, though.
I did.
It wasn’t enough.