therapy session with sigmund

your new therapist
sigmund asks you a few
questions, mostly about
how you are going
to pay him for
these sessions,
then gets down
to business.
when i say a word
he says, you say to
me the first word
that pops into your
mind. fine, you say,
clasping your hands
behind your head.
you stretch out on
the paisley
lounge chair
that smells like
chinese food.
you give it a hard
sniff and rub
your nose.
okay, let's begin,
sigmund says.
mother. you hesitate,
go on he tells you,
don't wait, just say
the first word you
think of. lo mein
you say. he writes
that down. father,
he says, egg rolls,
you say. God, he says.
general tso chicken,
you say. sex, he
says, tapping his
pen against his
pad. peking duck
you say. hmmm. he
says, i'm a little
hungry, should we
order up. you nod.
yeah let's take a
lunch break,
crispy beef for me
and a mai tai.
he takes out his cell
phone and calls
it in. am i off,
the clock, you ask,
he gives you a
thumbs up. no
problem, he says.
chopsticks, he says.
fork, you say.