Sunday 10 AM

I call you up
You answer

I ask: how are you
You say: all is fine, as always

I sigh

I’ve heard those words a thousand times
Yet I wonder: why?

What does ‘all is fine’ mean when
No day is the same
Your father is dying
Your mother is to blame
Your work is eating you up
Your past does the same

I call you so you can talk
So you can drop off some weight
Yet you prefer to shield up
With your ‘I’m always ok’

Can you drop your face mask
Showing emotions ain’t no disgrace dad

But if that’s how we’ll have it
Then that’s how I’ll take it

Though in secret I’m trying
To frame a question that will set you free
It will start a conversation
Where you will say
Today has been different
And I’m not ok

This was first performed at SpeakEasy Brussels