I'D Say I'M Fine

You ask me how I'm doing Your face clothed with surface sincerity; You drill through me a sense of belonging Making me feel like one of you, A complete human being with functional systems; With a sound mind and beating heart; Flowing blood and standing skeleton, Thick flesh beneath my black African skin; You seem to care,your words coating your ego; Your voice defending your true intentions And your ears remain deaf to the truth within my answer; Tradition has done me a disservice That it would be rude not to respond to a greeting, So, I give you what you want to hear; "That I'm fine" For that's all you'd stand to listen to with a fake smile; While an answer off that grid would earn me a thin sorry, Not like you're concerned or moved, But in an attempt to save yourself from the burden, Of lending me a helping hand when I'm drowning, In these pits of the devil flaming with pain!