Just A Phone Call – Part 2

Poem by Gloria O’koye

‘Hello?

Wanting to ask how are you doing,

But the “I am well”

Are just lies,

Unless the person did their time

Building on their mental spirit.

‘I miss you’

No words could relieve the built up

For that one hug.

Or memorizing every detail of

Facial appearance.

From beauty marks,

How delicate the lips & cheekbone form.

To every eyelash that would brush away uneasiness.

Taking high quality photos

through the eyes,

The storage space is in the brain.

Praying in urgency the memory won’t go corrupt,

By illnesses that will make visual memories slowly fade.

“I want you home”

The strong will hold their head together

While the more fragile will limit their calls.

A reminder of what could have been

In the belly of the beast that is

The current reality.

Both sides grieve in silence.

One in physical

While the next suffers in mental

Imprisonment.

Making plans and talking about the day

Can alleviate the pain.

Risking holiday blues when

Release plans don’t go anyone’s way.

Time seems to slow down with

Each minute during arguments.

While laughter triggers the automatic

Message

That there is one minute left on this call.

The sound of the click

When conversations exceed the maximum

Allowance.

A reminder of supervision as punishment

For unlawful actions

Dismissing pleas from those who are innocent.

Time with loved ones cannot be taken

For granted.

From every day to anytime of free will,

To calls that may be recorded or intercepted.