The lonely voice echoes down the multiplex of wires.
Each wire holds her cries for a second before
Passing them on to its neighbour without care.
For what do wires care about the fate of a single tear?
Without effort, I listen as the story falters from one
To the next, I know you need me there to chase away the liars.
“Please insert fifty cents to hear real desperation users.”
Comes a metallic voice full of the joys of spring.
I dare it to bid us, “Have a nice day!”
Feeling neglected by its ignorance
I shout, kick and scream inside my mind.
I need to be there to stop all her damn accusers.
In between her sobs and imagined cigarette smoke
Wafting down the miles to catch in my throat
Like the apologies I try to give her.
I am not the friend she thinks I am, for I love her,
Much more than that and I cannot save her.
She slams down the phone whilst saying, “I’m a joke.”
I feverishly redial her, but the connection is gone.
I know that I’ll see her again
But not in any form that I can hold, touch or listen too.
She will come to me at night…Of that I am sur.
Her long distance crying will wake me.
She needed me at this time, which I can see!
Ian D. Hall
First published in Waiting For An Answer. 2003. and the best Poems of 2003. (Ely Press)