Kohomada Ban? Poem by Udaya R. Tennakoon

' Kohomada ban?
How are you?
Wie geht´s dir? '

It is the same question.
But there are three answers
Cultural, structural, regional

So close in mind
Far away from the body
So close in body
Far away from the mind

Life is just here and now.
But it is philosophically a juxtaposition.
Time in mind has passed a decade or more.
The body has been transforming.
Wrinkled skin
Hair and beard turning gray
Smile painted in memory
Happy and sad of imperfect feeling

'Yes, I´m fine thanks'
'Ich bin gut, Danke'
Hondin innawa '

The short and escape answers
You know that you don't know.
Narratives of these short answers