The Faithful Wanderer

Poem: Hey, Can I Ask You Something?

Hey. Can I ask you something

Heart pounding.
Face freezing.
Back stiffening.

What did I do?
Was it the time when I—
Was it when I said—
Did they find out about—

What’s going on?
Did I do something wrong?
Are we in a bad spot?
Is it my fault?

Three seconds feel like a lifetime,
Imagining every possible thing
I could’ve done to hurt you.
These things don’t exist in real life,
But in my mind, I’ve damaged your soul.

Hey. Can I ask you something?

Brought back to the present.
Staring in fear.
Breath quickening.

What do you want for your birthday?

What are you doing this week?

How are you doing?

Can I borrow your hoodie?

Can you do me a favor?

Never start a conversation that isn’t bad with
Hey, can I ask you something.
Or else your friend will question themselves
And be in terror for the few seconds
That it takes for them to say, “Sure, ask away.”

[Note: y’all, I absolutely hate it when someone starts the conversation with ‘Hey, can I ask you something?’ It terrifies me and I can literally feel my heart pounding even harder, I get chills on my arms and back, and get butterflies in my stomach. If you aren’t bringing up a problem, never start with ‘Hey, can I ask you something?’😂]

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Willow
Willow Hoffer is a young author, founding graduate of the Young Writer’s Honors Academy, and high school junior. She hopes to find her calling in the mission field and share the love of God through her writing. When not writing, Willow can be found reading, hanging out with friends, or thrifting. She and her family have settled down in North Carolina where she has continued her writing journey.

7 responses to “Poem: Hey, Can I Ask You Something?”

  1. Ɀ𐌄ᕓ𐌀 Avatar
    Ɀ𐌄ᕓ𐌀

    Great poem! And yeah—I get that. It doesn’t scare me but it’s weird. Sometimes lol.

    Reply
    1. Willow Avatar
      Willow

      Thanks Zeva! Lol, yeah, I think it’s bc every time someone asks me that it’s never been a great convo😅😭 I guess it’s a form of trauma 🤷‍♀️ Jk jk

      Reply
      1. Ɀ𐌄ᕓ𐌀 Avatar
        Ɀ𐌄ᕓ𐌀

        XD

        So real though. If you only—or mostly—experiance the negative side of something, you eventually start to become hesitant—or even scared—of it.

        Or yk, if you’re like me and just hate it so much you can feel your blood boil XD

        (That was kinda a gross exaggeration, but you get the idea lolll.)

        Reply
        1. Willow Avatar
          Willow

          Yeah, that real😝

          That makes so much sense, dw😉

          Reply
  2. Hope Elizabeth Avatar
    Hope Elizabeth

    I’m the same way!! XD

    Reply
  3. Avatar
    Anonymous

    LOL, when I want to ask someone for something, I just go up and bluntly ask them.

    “Hey, can I ask you something?” always builds up so much suspense.

    Great poem, Willow!

    Reply
    1. Willow Avatar
      Willow

      Lol, it seriously does😝

      Thanks!

      Reply

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