The question rings as a rattle on my cage.
"I am writing poetry" I answered.
He mumbled, "I thought you were playing Mahjong."
I exhaled hard, "I was. I won two games. " I said with a little aggravation.
"Hum..." he said, then all fell silent.
I did not respond.
Only the sound of my fingers typing on the keyboard continued
Until he could not stand it anymore, "There's news today. The USA is pulling out of Syria."
"Hum, that's good." I said.
He said, "I am sure the families of the soldiers that are coming home are happy."
"Yeah, they probably are." I said halfheartedly as I continued to write.
"Israel is still worried about their borders."
Sarcastically I replied, "Maybe they will build a wall."
The sounds of tap-tap-tap on the keyboard, continuing...
He said, "Yeah, maybe Trump will help them."
I stopped typing.
We laughed and I continued to write.
It was quiet for just a moment.
Then he said, "What'cha doing now?
We both laughed out loud!!!
And I finished this writing.
Humor goes a long ways in soothing rough edges.