On Hold
“Our agents are now
assisting other callers.
your call is important:
Please stay on the line.”
Assisting other callers?
But you were mine only.
“Please stay on the line.”
I’m hanging up now.
“But you were mine only.”
A hollow assurance;
I’m hanging up now.
“Your call will be handled
[a hollow assurance]
in the order received.”
Your call will be handled?
You sonofabitch.
In the order received,
return my love. Wait.
You sonofabitch.
I wish I knew where . . .
Return, my love. Wait,
your call is important.
I wish I knew where
our agents are now.
*Ed. note: We had a contest a couple of weeks ago for which contestants had three days to write a poem based on the lines spoken when one is put on hold while waiting for help. Details and other winners are here. Thank you David Yezzi for entering this fine poem.