the last call

remembering deborah, and the usw workers and others at monongahela valley hospital whose compassion will not be forgotten

i was surprised by your call
i rejoiced when i heard your voice
for i left you minutes before–
you were tired
i was weary
we kissed and parted

when the phone rang
i was near the driveway
the ringing worked its way
through a forced focus on driving and tear filled eyes

but

i rejoiced when i heard your voice
and i knew the assistants, nurses, and doctors would watch over you during the night
until i returned to gaze into your beautiful blue eyes and hear the joyful sound of your voice

Paul Cech has been writing poetry since 1970. Several of his poems have been published as Saturday Poems in the Pittsburgh- Post Gazette and the Thomas Merton Center of Pittsburgh has published several of his poems in NewPeople. Read other articles by Paul.