The First Undertaking
‘Twas lighter – to be Blind –
Emily Dickinson
I became an Atlas cupping their final world,
and that office phone, arms wide and high
to cradle the length between my ear and lip, it
became, after an afternoon with my chin and
grip,
a new bone in my cheek. Each long distance call I wanted
quiet, I wanted another night, I wanted to haul
the chord out of the wall I wanted my own pine,
my own hammer and nails and innocent white
paint…
and who, answering, who wasn’t stunned – listen:
yes twelve white caskets
yes that’s what I
said
you only have three
in stock? Jesus I need
twelve, yes that’s
what I said.
Can I pick them up?
No
I have twelve children
to get…
Please can you send
them?
What’s the number to
another
parlor? Listen let me get a pen
Oh Christ I dropped
the ink
bottle, please sorry
hold on hold on hold on…
nine yes nine what?
please
yes white yes
children yes ages
eight to sixteen
please you have two
and who you say…a
number yes
please yes Lubec
right away
four hours drive? – listen quick
yes one I need one
now
ten year old I’ve
been phoning
all afternoon - I’ll send someone
thank you yes they’ll
be there
A shame a terrible
shame yes thank you
what’s that? Who should you send
the bill to?
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