Progress and Prevention

It is Monday morning

And I am on the couch spilling my guts.

He mostly listens, clipboard in hand,

Nodding, making little church steeples

With his index fingers,

Occasionally giving me stage directions.

I tell him my secrets and he tries

To navigate me through the choppy water.

He is optimistic

About progress and prevention,

And I try my best to trust him and be honest

About all my little insecurities.

At home we are having dinner

And she smiles at me and I smile back.

And she says: Are you happy?

And I say: Yes, I am happy.

Thoughtlessly pushing food about my plate,

I try to work up the courage to bite.