if everyone answered
honestly
when they were asked
how are you
I wonder
how many lives would be saved

how many friendships made

as for me,
I'm depressed
exhausted
anxious
crashing
but still smiling

and one of a million

though
considering
I'm asked this question
at least two hundred times
during work
maybe it's better
we aren't honest
rhetorical question
generic response
maybe it's better
we hide

He would kiss better
every spot on her body,
promising that it would
make every mark heal

an then tell her that
her mouth was bruised,
so he had excuse to place
one last kiss on her waiting lips.