No Answer
by Judith Steinbergh
This is the third time this week
I’ve tried calling you
down under the ground.
This has got to stop.
I know you don’t pick up the phone
in fact, there’s no number listed,
but this connection we’ve had for years
first umbilical
lately over the wires is hard to break.
Who else cares about the kids’ first day of school
or my electric bill.
I phone you up in the heavens
but it’s no dice.
I’m not into the afterlife
and your burial pursues me
without mercy,
I know you’re down there
MA
answer me.