
Collect Call
I’m back in my car but I may as well be walking. Traffic forgot how to move and I think I’m high on exhaust. In the rearview mirror, in my back seat, you’re looking at me, brown eyes too big. Nose too straight. You’re young. Younger than I remember you.
On the street, a phone rings. Not a cell. One of those old payphones the city forgot to take down. It rings and rings. I roll up the window to shut it out, but I still hear.
Can you get it? You say it like you used to. But my mirror shows you gone. I glance back, not trusting myself. I never did trust myself.
The phone stops mid-ring and all I want is for one more chance to say hello.
Mary izzo
I loved this piece. Not only did it bring back memories, but brought me to tears missing those phone calls from my beloved John. I think this piece relates to the world in general, as everyone, everywhere has lost someone either through death or divorce.
Carmen
Mary, you’re right, all of us can name a person, family or friend, that has been close to us at some point in our lives and are no longer with us. The question is what would we say to them if we could have one more conversation?