Don’t ask me how I am—
Spare me from my mortifying honesty
ignore that my happiness seems threadbare
pinned needle-sharp into my flesh 
to keep it from slipping off

Don’t ask me how I am—
I feel full of ice-winged bees
voices a buzzing cacophony careening around my ears
standing tenuously rooted to this time
this air-thin space.

Don’t ask me how I am—
Let me press against the far wall a moment
Paint it slick with nerve-sweat
count the red in the room, count the blue
count my breaths whistling between clenched teeth.

Don’t ask me how I am—
Pretend you believe this ill fitting smile
sewn in tiny stitches to the corners of my flinching eyes
and the brackets around my mouth
numb lips fumbling platitudes

Don’t ask me how I am—
twine your anchoring fingers in mine
and let me lie
let me say it’s fine, I’m fine 
I’m fine.