NO PROBLEM

"No problem."
If any two words strike fear in my heart, it's those.
I may be perfectly calm and coping.
Just seeking a little help.
But when I hear those two words,
my hair stands on end and my instinct says, "flee."
When I have a problem,
give me a man with questions and concerns.
Who sees everything that could possibly go wrong.
Who acknowledges there may be
some rough spots along the way,
but then quietly assures me he can handle it.
"No problem" has entered our problem-filled lives
like a miracle cure,
infecting our daily vocabulary like a virus.
I can think of only one other phrase
that makes me this nervous:
"Don't worry."


© Ellen Azorin