Poem - I'm Here

A few months ago, I woke up and needed to write something down.  Fortunately, I had pen and paper handy.  I hadn't actually looked at it since I wrote it, but something pulled it to my attention today.  As poetry goes, it's not great, but it's something that pretty accurately describes my mindset right now.

Hey, how's it going? What's up? How are you?
People checking in all the time each day.
Hey, how's it going? What's up? How are you?
Quick connections, touching base on the way.

Hey, how's it going? What's up? How are you?
The words are sincere, at least they sound that way.
But if you listen, if you look in their eyes,
You know there are things they don't want you to say.

How's it going? Pretty badly the panic's creeping in.
There are too many people, too much sound and light.
It's all pushing in, there's no room to breathe,
No way out, no escape, no place to run and hide.

What's up? My pain level - today's a bad one.
There are flares and aches and twinges.
Moving hurts, not moving's just as bad,
And the pills just add a fog to the din.

Hey, how's it going? What's up? How are you?
I know what you want me to say.
I won't lie to you - you deserve more than that,
But I'll only give some of the truth in my way.

Hey, how's it going? What's up? How are you?
I'll tell you the truth, if you want to hear.
Hey, how's it going? What's up? How are you?
With a shrug and a smirk, I say - I'm here.