As inappropriate as PJ pants
instead of trousers, rancor, public sex,
I just as often well-behave by chance
as by my own decision. Mom expects
passivity and sweetness. Even Dad
advises me to shush and not engage.
I listen but then something gets me mad,
and backsliding I fail to act my age.

Too vehement when young, too playful now,
inquisitive and inconvenient too.
I honestly mistake and don’t know how
to fake response as well as most folks do.
I’ll never be appropriate, I guess –
the word is like authentic – meaningless.