When The Operator Listened In

Phone Boxes, remember them?

can you recall those 

lengthy phone conversations 

shortly after we met 

when we were separated  

by land and sea

while you worked in Dublin

with little hope of us meeting

for months

how we would spend hours

each evening dining on love

a vivid imagination with a

hunger no food would satisfy

till the operator stepped in

to remind us we had two minutes

for fond farewells before

the line would go dead

and when you pleaded

in your Liverpool drawl that

you were clean out of change

she took pity and gave us extra

time so we could continue with

our sweet nothings while she 

resumed with her knitting

and her eavesdropping

we were the after supper

entertainment not the usual

drop dead handsome leading actor

or his besotted blonde interest 

memorising and acting out a script

for others my darling

we happened to be

the real deal

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

I remember worrying that someone might be listening to calls we were making. Audio voyeurism. I'm not quite old enough to remember the boxes, not even sure if we had them over here. Just operators connecting us. Probably laughing and crying with us. Telephone threesomes. An interesting blast of the past Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Bill for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[duff]

This made me smile. From running out of money in a phone booth to having someone yell get off the phone because we've been on it too long. We all have those memories of where we can't get enough of that person. Just one more minute. Hanging up is pure agony. Pure love. Great work Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased this poem made you smile duff. Yep pure love. Those were the days. Thanks so much.
read morePleased this poem made you smile duff. Yep pure love. Those were the days. Thanks so much.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - what a memory you brought back. I once had a girlfriend who lived hundreds of miles away.
I was in the phone booth when I called. (Parents wouldn't let me call from home.) The operator only interrupted us to inform me that I now owed the phone $8.50. After pleading, she accepted my promise that I would go to their office a few days later to pay them.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your share Dave and relating to this write. I appreciate you stopping by. Have a good day.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

No matter what technology is available, romance is bound to go forward. Otherwise, I guess we wouldn't be here. So many times, especially when I was in the Navy, an old-fashioned phone booth was invaluable. First they were ten cents, then sometime in the 70's, it went to 25 cents. That was just for local calls. If you had a sweetheart on the other end, you'd likely need a lot of coins. It took some effort then, but now, we just pull out the cell phone. An improvement?

[Chris Shaw]

Something romantic about phone booths Sam. The cell phone isn't at all romantic. Thank you for stopping by and checking this one out. Hope all is good in your world. All the best.

Chris

[red93]

Beautiful Chris one of yr best ever Works. Absolutely fantastic how you have conjured this lovely memory into a really excellent Piece ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Tony for your continued encouragement on my poetry. You are truly appreciated.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

Bravo my dear! Love the closure to this write...(we happened to be the real deal) ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sharon, pleased you stopped by today. Have a lovely Sunday.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I remember the phone calls dear Chris. The long talk and create a forever friendship. Today the new generation had forgot how to talk and they need to date. I liked the personal feel of the poetry. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. Those were the days :) I appreciate your thoughts dear friend and am pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Chris and you are welcome.

[bloop.pook]

ive never talked on pay phones or dealt with operators, I was born in 2000s but this feeling you have perfectly captured and put into words I can relate with my phone calls with an old loved one during covid. it feels so foreign but the wave of feelings is still so present.

[Chris Shaw]

That's how romance was conducted long distance in those days or by letter. I bet that seems weird to you youngsters. What hasn't changed is the love though. That is timeless. Thanjs for stopping by. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, I remember these....and with a couple people, those conversations ended up being much better than any that were in person.

"Operator, Oh won't you help me place this call?"
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear J for sharing your thoughts. Have a good Sunday.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

What is it with humans and the imperfect privacy, say of a confessional box or a phone line which may be listened in on! I've had my share of sweet nothing phone calls, one over four hours on either end of a New Year's being apart. Good stuff. Thanks Chris for these memories which now meet with my own. Freds.

[Chris Shaw]

Four hours Freds has to be a record! That is one hell of a phone call. You beat me hands down. Pleased you could relate. Thanks for the visit.

Chris

[light and ashes]

Fond memories so well recalled and relayed.
Enjoyed reading.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous light and ashes. Pleased you stopped by and especially pleased you enjoyed this poem. All the best.

Chris

[light and ashes]

You are so very welcome, Chris.