When You Ask Me How I’m Doing

When you ask me how I’m doing,
I wonder what you really mean.

Are you simply saying, “Hello, how are you?”
as a kindness, or do you really want to know how I feel?

Most folks want the simple answer,
“I’m fine, how are you?”

Very few want the entire story
of everything going wrong around you.

Perhaps if things are going great,
they might enjoy hearing that,
unless you’re doing better than them,
that conversation could turn out bad.

But if things aren’t all hunky-dory
and you have a lot of stress built up,
what words vomit from your mouth
may not be easily cleaned up.

The questioner may look at you puzzled or lost,
they may feel the question has suddenly shown its cost…

because they didn’t really care how you actually are…
they were just making conversation
they hoped would end much sooner,
and now you’re knee-deep on your rant
about how you wish life would get better sooner.

So, before you inquire about someone’s day or life,
make sure you’re ready to hear all about their strife.