i had to open my big mouth

if you

bring up some small tragedy

or complication

going on

in your life,

you are stuck forever more

into explaining it to

those you told it to,

how everything is?

they ask.

you sigh and offer a weak

smile, wanting

to say nothing that would

add to it, but

the toothpaste is out of tube,

the genie is

out of the bottle,

the butter is out of the....

whatever.

but you wish

you had kept your big mouth

shut.

they take your hand,

with sad eyes

and pat you on the back

when you see them.

some even enter your personal

space and awkwardly

hug you

for a whole minute.

mostly women.

they whisper,

so how are you?

things any better?

i can't believe what you

must be going through, they

say.

whatever you do, don't give

up hope.

and try not to drink too much.

okay?