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