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Conference Call

by  didau

Posted: Monday, May 31, 2010
Word Count: 83
Summary: My parents separated after 45 years of marriage this year and for several months were still living in the same house and answering the phone at the same time. Really not sure about this - especially not happy with penultimate line and would welcome suggestions.




It’s good to talk but
not to both of you.
Not at the same time.
Not now that you’ve made the decision
to go it alone.

There’s something stilted;
shoehorned into
something too small
about my invidious position
with you both on the phone.

And I am utterly unable
to do more
than politely mouth
insincerities about your decision
to go your separate ways.

It’s only duty
that drives me to punch
your number
violently and involuntarily,
into the face of my phone.