A Question

Having told me you’ve had low energy
and decreased interest
in the things you used to enjoy
(reading, Canasta, sex),
I ask you,
because I believe we have enough rapport—
though how can one ever be certain—

Have you had thoughts of killing yourself?

You freeze for a moment,
a child exposed
for a lie she hasn’t told yet.
In the next, you sigh
and smile.

It is the smallest smile I have ever seen.