When they ask

what do you do for a living

it is understood that the question
is about money
and that they say

what do you do for a living
instead of saying 
justify to me how you stay above ground

They never intend the sentence
to be heard 
with a word like
God or 
glow or 
love
at the end

Imagine if the sterile greeting
instead customarily meant

what do you do for a living glow
or
what do you do for a living connection to all other beings
or
what do you do for a living love

Or if it became known
as a traditional absurdity
meant strictly to break the ice at gatherings

as in

what do you do for a living lobster
or 
what do you do for a living return
to those thrilling days of yesteryear

In your head now
is the germ of an idea

To respond now and then

What do you do for a living…what?

They will laugh and seem 
nonplussed but

one day it may be
that one will look into your eyes
at the close of the odd exchange
and nod and say

indeed…that is a good question indeed…

and you watch
I promise it will happen
You watch

Both of you will feel at once
the world shaking
as it waits for the answer