ask.

i would like you to ask me,
first,

is this okay?

before your hands settle on
my shoulders
my hair
the parts of me that aren't open
to air

perhaps
if you knew me
you'd also know that i hate your touch
because
after all
we are not that close
we are not even what i'd consider
friends

so when you smile
i will smile back
simply because society says
this is what we do
this is what you do

and when you wave or glance and nod
i will reciprocate
because
this is what i do
this is what we do

maybe i like you
maybe i don't
and maybe i hate you,
you might never know

but if you happen to be around me
and your hand falls on me
and i shift slightly out of bounds
or say, do not touch
then please, do not touch me
because
i would like you to ask me,
first,

is this okay?