maybe you need a hobby

my therapist

tells me that i need a hobby.

i should

find

something that i enjoy

doing,

something that interests me.

it will take

your mind off yourself, she says.

help you

with your ruminations about

the past.

a hobby? like what?

i ask her.

i don't know, she says.

do you like fishing,

or how about

tennis,

or pickleball?

do you like to cook?

what interests you besides

writing

and the occasional game

on tv?

i like to read, i tell her.

and watch movies on tv.

okay, okay.

that's good.

do you like to travel?

maybe you should take some

trips, day trips,

a week away might help you.

go somewhere

new, someplace you've never

been before.

like where?

i see her looking at her watch.

i know i'm exhausting her, but

hey, it's her job.

how about a dog, she says. 

get a pet of some kind

so that

you stop thinking about  yourself.

taking care of a dog will 

help you.

what kind of dog? i ask her.

big or small?

i'm not wild about dogs that shed

or bark a lot.

a rescue dog at the shelter, or a new

puppy?

what about a bird, she aks.

maybe a parrot

that talks.

no way.

my ex wife had a parrot.

it wouldn't shut up, and it actually

bit me on the thumb once.

i show her the scar

on my thumb.

finally she says, okay. our time is up.

i write her a check

and stretch my arms

out, shaking

my leg that fell asleep.

next week, i ask, same time?

sure she says.

i can hardly wait.