how are you?

you put
on your lucky
hat
before leaving
the house,
avoiding
each crack in
the sidewalk.
you go around
the ladders
that lean against
the burning
building,
hopping over
the cat, black
as the ace
of spades.
you avoid
the 13 bus,
and wait
for the 14,
which takes
the long
way around
the mirror
factory.
you knock
on wood when
asked how are
you and reply
just fine, just
fine, a little
crazy, but
well, and you?