Caller, Are You There? Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Caller,
Are you there?

"Yes".

Thank you for holding.
Your question?

"I wanted to request,
An absentee ballot.
To vote in the upcoming election,
November 3rd.
I had wanted to do this,
Since February.
Is it too late to do that now? "

Yes.

"I have another question? "

Sure. Go ahead.

"Repeatedly I have been told,
Not to walk across any street.
Without looking both ways.
Or I may get hit.
By either a truck or a car.
Could that be true? "

Yes.

"And,
Should I leave my mask on? "

Yes.

"I have just one more question."

I'm here for you.
Ask your question.

"I know this may sound ridiculous.
But...
Do I have to go to the forest,
To see the trees?
Or hear them fall to believe it?
And how long should I wait,
For that to happen? "

Go now.

"And...
For how long should I wait? "

If I were you,
I would go right now.
The wait shouldn't take long at all.
In fact...
Rumor has it they fall all the time.
Go.
And wait.
You don't want to miss the next one.

"Thank you so much.
I am so glad I patiently awaited,
For you to answer my call."

You have no idea,
How happy that makes me...
To hear you say that.

"Oh...
What sound does that tree make,
When it's falling? "

It says...
'Help me.
I'm falling.
And I can't get up! '

"NO WAY!
SERIOUSLY? "

I kid you not.
Wait there and hear it yourself.

"I'll wear my mask too! "

By all means.
Don't leave wherever you are,
Without it.