How Are You? (A Poem)
How are you?
Three little words,
We often take for granted
Are all we need to hear now
They hold none of the
drama,
or romance
Of its popular cousin
But when said with
Kindness
and genuine concern
It’s everything.
How are you
Means:
I see you
I care
I hope you are holding up
Okay
It means,
How are you, really?
Beyond the manic decluttering
and baking status updates.
How are you
Is reaching across the screen
To link arms
and take a turn
about the room
How are you
Can also mean:
Please ask me
How I am, too.
We don’t need a lecture,
Fake news,
Or judgment on our
coping mechanisms
How are you
is simply:
A drawing class link
A cat meme
A surprise Grab delivery
How are you
Is
An invitation
to wonder at the sky
A goodnight wish
A virtual hand to
hold, throughout
this lonely rollercoaster
Ride.
Wherever you are,
Whatever challenges you face
Three little words
Humbly offer comfort
or
courage.
If dark times
have any saving grace
It’s that it helps us recognize
the light
in each other;
Pass it on.
Three bright words.
We must pay attention to whom
We’ve chosen to shine them on, lately
So we keep up the habit
Even when we emerge from our homes and hermit caves
You see,
Shelter is not a place;
It’s people
Who keep us feeling
Safe.
When the world resumes
its hectic pace
and toxic greed
May three little words
From
Mother
Bestie
Barista
Barber
Beloved godchild
in real life,
remind us:
We already have
Everything
we need.