Once upon a time

when I ran into friends

and acquaintances,

who asked

what I was up to,

I would reel off

a litany of activities.

Lately,

I have begun to reply,

“I am practicing

not multitasking.”

Saying these words

out loud

reaffirms

my intentions

and seems to give

my questioners

pause.

I also pause

before

asking friends

the reflexive

 “what have you been up to”

question.

Instead of exchanging lists,

a conversation

might take place.