Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Pinging july 27, 2012

  

he constantly checks his phone

as if he has an appointment to keep

it is Tuesday she's not here

so naturally I wonder

 if it is an appointment with her

though he tells us she's out on assignment

 only he won't tell us what

 but one she needs to give him progress reports about

he looks nervous sweating a bit even

with the air conditioner cranked up high

 something he always complains about

when the girls downstairs do it

over what he claims is menopause

even his hands shake as he grips the phone

 scared maybe but of what

he doesn't look directly at me

still I feel as if I am to blame

his phone chimes he snatches it up

Mumbles something into it

Then puts it down again

 sweating even more

leaving marks on the leather table

 wherever his fingers touch

checking and rechecking the phone

even when it no longer pings



email to Al Sullivan

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