Receiver

 

 

I dream that I’m woken

by the telephone.

 

I dream the certainty

that someone dead is calling.

 

I dream that I reach

for the receiver.

 

Only the receiver’s

not how it used to be,

it’s gotten heavy

as if it had grabbed onto something,

grown into something,

and wrapped its roots around it.

I’d have to rip the whole Earth

out with it.

 

I dream my useless

struggles.

 

I dream the quiet,

since the ringing’s stopped.

 

I dream I fall asleep

and wake up again.