1971
Poetry
by Michael F. Nyiri
The Hello Syndrome
As Joseph walks along the street A friend he knows he haps to meet A swift, "Hello, How are you Jack" And Jack replies, "Fine, how're you" back As Mary clambors through the hall' She hears a faint but crystal call A guy asks, "What's new, Mary dear?" She answers "Nothin'" without a care As Robert rushes on his way Joanne says, "What are you doin' today?" Robert stands still, then answers her fast "Not much," he says - a mere second it lasts. And Innocent Ida, a bleak look on her face Has suffered a lot last night She's feeling as low as los can be And nothing seems to be right. As she slowly drifts throught the pitiless world A forgotten friend stops, teeth all pearled "Hi, how's it goin'? What's new?" he spells out Ida beams a smile and turns about. "Not so good," she begins, but he's gone too soon A grip apparition, a shifting sand dune. She's broken down She thought he cared But he's long gone He'll never hear her cry Cause he only asked questions in a syndrome And this for the price of a "Hi".
copyright 2001 by Michael F. Nyiri
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