Where is your heart?

She says, how are you?
Then — Where is your heart today?
Good question. I breathe.

*****

How are you?
— Good, fine, okay. 
No, really. 
How are you, really?

As if the “really”
Really matters. 

Of course they care. 
Of course they can see
Or maybe just sense
That all is not 
— Good, fine, okay. 

But do they really 
Have the time?
It takes more than 2 minutes. 

Do I trust them to listen
And not talk,
To let me find the words
Without rushing
To assure me
I really am okay. 
(So they can feel okay)

Can they let me pause
To feel what weighs
On my heart
And not try to
Lift the weight
Themselves?

Because they care,
Of course. 
They’re “on my side.”
They want me to
Feel better. 

They want to help. 
We all want to help. 

But if you ask,
— “Where is your heart?”
I know you are willing
………To take the time,
……….To wait while I find the words,
……….To let the silence rest
Until I find my way 
Into the words
That must be spoken. 

It will take the time it takes,
And it will come to a place
Where the heaviness 
Has lifted from my heart
And I am breathing again. 

Really.