The Awkwardness of a Friendship

By Jo-Ann Ledger

I glanced at the clock today
when you answered the phone.
50 minutes later
your cursory, “How are you?”
the only inclusionary pause
in your full-throttle chatter.
I listen
I wait
I keep secrets
I try a safe distance
but my patience erodes
under the torrent
of your words.
I inhale deeply,
ready to interrupt the tide
but you say that you have to go.
“So good to hear from you!”
you conclude brightly
without a drop of irony.
I hang up
defeated.
Today is not the day
to curb the deluge
to delve beneath
to begin gently
stepping
towards authenticity
to be heard.