They say I should know the answer like the back of my hand

They meaning my friends

But they can’t answer it either.

What are 3 parts of your body that you have grown to love?

Easy.

I like my eyes and…

I do not answer the question

I just put something that other people like about me

My smile

I can’t think of anything else

I leave this question blank

Because I’m not going to lie

I tell myself just play it safe

Nobody will know

But they will

I am too old for this

I am too old for leaving things undone

Or empty

Or broken, like me

I have to learn to love this question,

Just like I have every other

This prompt is decorated with

Flowers and ladybugs and vines and leaves

But in my mind, it is ugly

I hate this question because I cannot answer it

It is the elephant in the room of my mind

It is a blessing to know the answer

Yet I don’t give it the time that I want to

I leave it abandoned

I do not think to give it a home until I was forced to

Until it invaded my mind

I watch my friends shift uncomfortably upon hearing this question

But they answer with ease

Everything they don’t like about me

I realize

It has already knocked on everyone’s doors

Just asking if it could have a place to stay

It is that what’s-the-harm-in-inviting-them guest

It’s the second-to-last-pick-at-best

And everyone feels bad for others

Not being able to give it a warm home

But they don’t give it one themselves

I could only fill in two of the blanks
And one was a lie

But I want to be able to adopt this question

And raise it like a child

I want to nourish it and let it

Grow strong in my mind

Afterall,

I should know it like the back of my hand