Solmaz Sharif reads “Social Skills Training” at Split This Rock Poetry Festival 2018: Poems of Provocation & Witness, April 20, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Ah. This makes much more sense now.

see: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/1580548/social-skills-training

by Solmaz Sharif

Studies suggest How may I help you officer? is the single most disarming thing to say and not What’s the problem? Studies suggest it’s best the help reply My pleasure and not No problem. Studies suggest it’s best not to mention problem in front of power even to say there is none. Gloria Steinem says women lose power as they age and yet the loudest voice in my head is my mother.