Psychotherapy

I ask you all the right questions
To open the door to your pain
And then when you cry
There are tissues nearby
I replace them again and again

It’s important to keep a cool distance
Involvement could cause such a mess
So my expression’s phlegmatic
My mouth and eyes static
As you talk to me of your distress

But then you start asking me questions
You ask if I’ve had a hard day
You ask if I’m bored yet
And if you are cured yet
And I really don’t know what to say

I insist it’s not on our agenda
For you to be talking this way
My watch alarm pings
And I gather my things
As I tell you that’s it for today

It appears you’re not in a hurry
As I stand up and walk to the door
You hand me the tissues
And ask are there issues
Of mine I would like to explore

I know how to hide my emotions
I’ve learned all the rules of the game
I look you straight in the eye
To wish you goodbye
And find I’ve forgotten your name

I’m sorry to be so forgetful
It’s not like me at all I explain
You say that it’s fine
Remembering mine
But you hope it won’t happen again

I’m beginning to feel very flustered
How could things have got to this state
I explain patiently
That I’ve others to see
But you tell me they’ll just have to wait

You point to the chair I’ve vacated
And ask me to please take a seat
I’ve a button to press
When under duress
But that’s like admitting defeat

You always seemed so self-effacing
So racked with self-doubt and fear
As you take command
I can’t understand
Just what is happening here

Refer to: Apr 2020 – Sermons in stones