Maria Dulce Leitao Reis
Maybe
When someone asks you: - How
are you?
Your thoughts travel quickly
all the secrets of your being
and presents at a glance a
very eloquent map;
sad, down, tearful, tired,
hurt,
distressed, apprehensive,
nervous.
However, you respond: - I'm fine,
and you?
I could
and shouldn't I have
responded sadly?
It would be in agreement with
my state,
So why did I lie?
Either way, it was a harmless
lie.
Maybe to avoid explanations.
Maybe to avoid aggravating
the suffering.
Maybe because I was too tired.
Maybe so as not to worry the
other person.
Maybe to avoid hearing a
know-it-all reprimand:
- I told you, you are to blame,
If it were me I would have
done it like this
but you have a weak pulse.
What I think is that certain
greetings,
they only serve to save
appearances,
because there is no interest
or concern.
When a person is not well,
there is always something
that betrays it;
the look, the forced smile,
the emotion in the voice,
the facial expression and
body posture.
When there is interest or
concern
we are more attentive and
perceptive.
©️Maria D. Reis
01/22/24
Portugal
