Poetry

PA photo

By

Lianne Kamp

Searching for the Heart of a Cold Caller

I called you today

my computer screen demanded it –

siren blaring, robot voice declaring

immediate attention – threatening

to hack my credit, steal my identity,

rape my dog, clog my toilet, explode

my water heater, turn my teeth to

yellow powder in my mouth

I called you today

when the flash of panic settled,

after I rebooted to a calm screen

welcoming me back by name,

extending a gloved hand for my

sign-in password, my dog curled

up at my feet, a flushing toilet, plenty

of hot water and teeth to chew on this

I called you today

to see if you knew me, you with

your safe and faceless voice from

oceans away –

if you knew of sleepless nights,

medical bills, sick and disabled children,

days that were full of worry and fear,

triumph and joy, journeys that would

break and mend most beating hearts

If you knew me

would you still be lighting up computer

screens, while sipping on your soft drink,

waiting for my call?

you answered

with a click and silence

Lianne Kamp

I came to Boston many years ago to write poetry.  Although I never abandoned poetry altogether, life had different plans for me. I have rediscovered the importance of writing and over the last year have been published in a number of Prolific Press journals. Mainly, I write poetry to make my world more panoramic by watching it more closely.