How Do You Feel

empty words without meaning words mumbled for mere formality lost in rolling endless echoes we understand the game and agree it's nothing personal just filler to mask the silence that besets us so we erect tall fences, add padlocks and answer the knock of only the rare few we keep it formal so not to muddy waters how do you do? is not a question our fine means I don’t want to talk or I’m not convinced you care don’t you see how we’ve become blasé or maybe just maybe we need to better recognize those pauses of genuine concern so a how do you feel? becomes a how do you feel about me? because I care and we can be friends AP: Honorable Mention 2023, Honorable Mention 2023 Submitted on January 20, 2023 for contest HOW DO YOU FEEL sponsored by MYSTIC ROSE ROSE