hung up like the stiff dress shirt in the closet
the one's that's too tight around the collar
not quite forgotten, but out of the way
not quite useless enough for goodwill

hung up like the phone when the telemarketer
asks if your dead father is there
quickly, don't let them hear what happened to your breath
(but how dare they not now)
(how dare they test me like this i know i am weak)

see also:
a tugging on your shirt sleeve from behind
(i dreamed you were carried away)
it is a fragile movement because so am i
(on the crest of a wave)
you are so close to being so far away
(baby, don't go away, come here)