Good Intentions

Standing in an airport in Kansas City

you run into one of the pastors

who used to work with your mother.

She wants to know how you're doing.

She wants to know how your father is doing.

She wants to know how your sister is doing.

she had given you some grief care materials,

and she wants to know if she can have your sister's address

so she can send a copy of the materials to her

as you are telling her about your upcoming trip

you get smaller

you hold your hands in front of you

right at stomach height

with the backs of the tips of your fingers gently touching

right at waist height

like a delicate looking woman in a low saturation picture on pintrest

like you never actually do

the feeling is gentle and foreign

like the materials she gave you

Anyway, she says,

get me that address, she says

she has been asking you for weeks now

You almost miss your flight.