Americanisms You keep reminding me of the need to buckle up Every single time you give me a ride I know You’re just trying to avoid problems with cops But still It’s comforting to hear you say it As careless about oneself As I am You keep asking how I’m doing Every time you see me I know What you give in response to my mumbling Is just another perfunctory smile But still It’s comforting to see you smile If not the whole world Beauty saves my world You keep telling me I shouldn’t curse so much I know You just hate to hear those words But still You help me think things are not as bad as I think You asked me to roll you a cigarette And I asked if you mind my licking the edge of the paper You shook your head and said It would boost your immune system I know Your concern about health is primary But still I’m happy you didn’t take me for another germ You keep saying that my body is the best of your clothes Although quite often But paradoxically You wear me not as often as any other clothes But still I’m always happy to be of some use You keep reminding me of the need to wear a rubber Whenever you knock my door I know You’ve just chosen safe sex But still It’s comforting to realize You’ve chosen me to have it with You once said that I was a poet even if I’d never written a single poem I know You were just trying to comfort me during my writer’s block But still I suddenly realized None of my poems had made me feel like a poet Your words did At least for a moment