I'M FINE

If you should ask me how I feel
I'll tell you I feel fine
You cause my fragile heart
a thousand hurts
and then
once in a while
in a fit of guilt?--
you try to salve it over.
I know you too well;
your unguents do not alleviate the pain
any more
and your compliments only mean
you're about to criticize
and that's why I'm fine.
If my eyes seem veiled, well,
they are...
I keep them that way
to hide my hurt
from you.