having the talk

[featherweighter]

take, for example
the bald bristle-bound head
as a focus point, it served
better than any
attitude of disgusting intimacy
because
after the weather and how was your day
my trembling trachea admitted the truth

a tiny
dejected breath came through the phone

i knew the short arms
holding the receiver pressed
against the stubble chin
were listening for why

and when, and how

and I was to deliver the news,
i who was indifferent!

he, speaking authentic soap opera phrases
dismayed and weighed
still trying to confide
wanting all of me

they are heavy, these phrases

to soothe, I spoke into the now silence
a singsong goodwish, words like:
   life
      full        and
happiness

but at the end, i could do nothing but
wish him a good day
and hang up