How Are You?

All of them know if I have not been fed
or I did not go early enough to bed

Everyone hears if my tea has gone cold
or that thing which my customer wants has been sold.

Still I bundle it up, and I take it to You
though I know You have always got lots to do

The sky’s still unpainted
the daisies are closed
the dawn’s on the boil
blackbird’s song half-composed
yet with rapt attention You lovingly stand
with a broadening Smile and a brush in one Hand
As if it were Your only important Task
“How are you?” You earnestly, eagerly ask.

Sumangali Morhall
April 2004