Out of Reach

“How are you?”
“I’m fine, just swell you know.”
A nervous laugh,
I’m hoping she will believe me.
“How have you been?”
“Just terrific,” I fake a grin.
Inside, I feel stupid, I’m praying—
I really hope she can’t tell.
She smiles back, the dull lamp flickers,
I think about how many moments we have left,
Before the light’s out for good.
And she can’t reach me anymore.