613 k

in an mostly empty room
in the mostly quiet night,
the phone rings,
brazen and bold
and lights up orange,
flashing,
and on the phone
there is the sweetest little voice
calling from home
mama,
she says,
mama,
how are you?
what did you do?
today,
what did you do?
did you scrapbook?
and is it good?
and so we will take turns
asking questions,
voices over the phone,
mama,
and baby
and big girl
and he,
613 k between we,
613 k between them
and me.
we give kisses
and hugs
over the phone
and I cradle that plastic
in the soft spot of my cheek,
listening to those voices
on the phone;
sweet
and trill
and excited
tell me of their day,
of school,
and books,
and snow,
cupcakes and play;
and we say
goodnight!
goodbye!
love you!
see you soon!
only a few more days -- 5, 4, 3,
and two;
so we say goodbye
and after the click
I pause and listen
to the static of
no voices on the phone.


from Cincinnati,
613 k from home.


A.