When he told me his truth,
I was quiet,
then said, “I’m just glad
there’s a comedy on tonight.”

I think back on that response
with some sense of shame.
His unburdening
oughtn’t be anything I needed to be lightened out of.
My mood should not be the consideration.
He had a secret to unveil
to an important person to him
and my reaction
was no doubt carefully watched.

Why was I so callous?
I could have been more careful
with my words.
He had waited so long
to tell me
about who he truly was.
I could have held my tongue
a moment or two
to have reacted
with greater poise.

The movie
wasn’t even all that funny.