Hi, Hello, How Are You

Here we go again
The way we always do
"Hi, hello, how are you?"
The rutine, the ritual, the same old answers
Then the wait, the small talk, I wonder what it's about today
And as I listen I hear your thoughts
Hear the echoes of your words:

What would you know about pain?
How could you understand loss?
When has someone ever hurt you?

And as you talk I think:

What would I know about pain when I've never lived my life?
How could I understand loss when I've never dared to risk it?
When has someone ever hurt me when I've never let anyone close?

And as you stop our thoughts are the same:

What could I say?
How could I understand?
When would I be of any help?