'I'm fine.'

'How are you doing?' They ask.

What do they care!

'I'm fine.' I reply.

They ignore my flat-tone, and thousand-yard stare.

At least they've asked.

Now they're rid of guilt.

And I can add more bricks,

To these walls that I've built.

Reviews

[Ayesha]

This feeling, so common, so exasperating, and capturing it in verses this beautiful, is one of the most unfeigned expressions of the feeling. Eight lines, but so comprehensive. Loved it.

[John the Baptist]

The speaker is showing the signs of depression, yet tells others, "I'm fine." Then there is a rather contemptuous conclusion the others are just ridding themselves of guilt, while admitting to isolating. I don't see any kind of soft landing here.