Horrible feeling
Hanging on the stale air
flowing through the receiver

Painful
Aching
Stomach

Unknown answers
Like waiting for the pop
Of a pastry rolls can
Or the opening of a college letter

The anxiety of the unknown
Not an agreeable feeling
Not dandy, or fine, or agreeable

As you wait for their words
To follow the preparations
They’ve given you
For a hard blow to the heart
Painful anticipation
Of the hurtful, ending words
They’re about to whisper

Tell yourself to be brave,
To be strong
But with the pain comes temptation
To hang up
Prevent the words
That emanate from their end of the phone
Dreary, dismal, deadly anticipation
Of the words you already know