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
Thank you, once again, for responding to the nonsensical news of the day with concise, insightful poetry.