When I Call

I had thought to tell her about the fall, 

but listening to her voice I hear her 

not need me ever to be sick or injured. 

Her voice made me know 

she needed instead

to tell me stories that crystallized 

her sense of humor, her relishing

our alikeness, our consistently good 

health. We took turns sharing how exhilarated 

we had been and were now especially

when together on the phone

in that private energy that seems

forever. Just as the joyous habit 

of long friendship and hearing that voice

and the nuances of how each of us thinks.

When she rings off to go and help 

someone, I tell her how wonderful 

her generosity, and she says, it's just 

what we do, and she tells me yet one more 

thing about shutting down a heckler.