How Are You?

How are you?

The reply is without thought,
always fine, chipper, great, how are you?
The words, automatic, despite affect,
tumble out like fresh rose petals,
fleeing a dying flower, without meaning.
Smooth and supple they roll off the tongue,
politely falling on expectant ears.

And how are you?
The words slip out,
unconsciously, without context.
Take one as you please--
a sampler of social niceties.

It seems that when a person has a medical or mental illness they are more aware of being asked how they are, even though it is a common practice to inquire with a greeting.  I find that whether I am doing well or not, I mostly always answer fine and sometimes feel a bit guilty for saying so, if it is not true.  Very rarely does anyone, I greet and ask, reply with a negative comment.

I am wondering how you feel, if you are less than honest when asked and if you think it is just polite social convention to give a positive report?  Are there people in your lives you are completely honest to in this regard?  Feel free to comment with other thoughts and ideas about this.