lenten journal: honest answer

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honest answer

one of the traditions
that comes with aging
is most every nurse
who checks me in

for an appointment,
no matter the doctor
or the reason, asks
“Do you feel safe at home?”

the question is a part
of a perfunctory list
quickly-asked queries
with expected answers

they will expect to hear
again next week when
I go for a final follow-up
for my implant surgery

they ask the questions
the way we ask
“How are you?”
to our favorite barista

we mean to ask it
but not that much
and often they answer
in a similar spirit

I am accustomed to
answering as expected
in hopes that it gets me
to the doctor quicker

but on the heels of
tariffs and tantrums
people being disappeared
for simply disagreeing

in the face of falling
stocks and failing hearts
of broken promises
and shattered families

the weight of these days
presses me to answer
in a way that breaks
the emergency glass

“No. I don’t.”

Peace,
MIlton

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