Lips quirked
Eyebrows raised
You ask a question
But avoid my gaze

Well-wishes received
I laugh as they say
“You know, you just have to
Take it day by day”

Stalked by pity
Encouraged by winks
I’m suffocated by support
But wonder what he thinks

Birds on my shoulder
Sing for my benefit
“You can do so much better,
We never liked him, not one bit”

Now here we stand
To say it’s tense is least
Polar opposites in place
Where heartbeats once increased

A decade between us
Both tired & grey
He asks how I am
And I smile as I say

I’m terrible, but thanks for asking anyway