Slip Away

 

That phone call in the phone booth

changed me

Though I had to say nothing

but listen

neither could I nod or shake

or cry

And as the onlookers awaited my departure

were their fate to be like mine?

If I wipe down the phone,

 would anything change

Should I tell them it is broken

 to prevent at least one misfortune

for a while, anyway

Since I can't recall dialing the digits

 still I took the call that changed me

I guess that is what booths are for

Isolation, solitude, peace, detachment

and as turbulent as the atmosphere is

to be let down

what a more perfect outlet

For to destroy inside the box would be to

 create the spectacle unwanted

Lo, the real damage can be seen in the way

 you walk away

Do you close the door

 or leave it open for the next recipient

Everyone looks for something else when

 they go inside the upright coffin

Otherwise,

 they would use the little hand-held contact

carried around in their pocket

that details every contact

 for someone to see