Peter Finch
Putting it right on the phone
I rang you up couldn’t get through
pulse on the line a fat voice you’re
talking to not mine A sort of ice
this handset not my choice. I’m
fearful told something didn’t
hear. The ice is a blood thing
invades the heart. You could just
say with half a word and save me, a
shift of your head, you don’t. Redial
and now no answer, better than a
conversation I have no part in. No
click no answerphone beep but I
hang there ringing, picking the paint
from the doorframe six inch gash
before I finish. Outside the day is bright
like a hangover dagger. The hallway
full of motes and strain. I say
something in the air a thin
apology and only the dust hears it.
Pick up the shaky phone
try again
pulse on the line a fat voice you’re
talking to not mine A sort of ice
this handset not my choice. I’m
fearful told something didn’t
hear. The ice is a blood thing
invades the heart. You could just
say with half a word and save me, a
shift of your head, you don’t. Redial
and now no answer, better than a
conversation I have no part in. No
click no answerphone beep but I
hang there ringing, picking the paint
from the doorframe six inch gash
before I finish. Outside the day is bright
like a hangover dagger. The hallway
full of motes and strain. I say
something in the air a thin
apology and only the dust hears it.
Pick up the shaky phone
try again
Page(s) 17
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