I’m calling a phone *** line
and telling them that I don’t think
my first girlfriend ever loved me.
They ask me what I’m wearing,
trying to divert the conversation,
and I ask if emotional baggage counts.
I push a hand between my dry thighs
and ask them if they like their job.
I ask what their favourite flavour
of ice cream is, and if they’ve ever
eaten it in the sunshine and felt okay.
I ask if they have someone back at home
that they’re doing this for,
or if they just like monetising a soft voice.
You have a very nice voice, I say,
and they laugh, awkwardly. Kindly,
they ask if I meant to call the Samaritans instead.
I say *no, they blocked my number,
and they expect me to be killing myself every time.*
Are you killing yourself now?
Slowly. Do you have a boyfriend?
No, baby, I’m all yours.
Don’t lie.
I have a baby on the way. I’m just trying
to make ends meet.
*I get it. Me too. By the way,
do you even like ice cream?*
Not really.
*Me neither. I don’t know why I brought that up
in the first place. Are you lonely?*
Right now?
Yeah. Now.
A little bit.
*I am killing myself, by the way. I just wanted
to talk to someone before I go.*
That’s okay. Your call will be charged anyway.
Jul 17, 2021
Jul 17, 2021 at 8:54 PM UTC
I’m calling a phone *** line
and telling them that I don’t think
my first girlfriend ever loved me.
They ask me what I’m wearing,
trying to divert the conversation,
and I ask if emotional baggage counts.
I push a hand between my dry thighs
and ask them if they like their job.
I ask what their favourite flavour
of ice cream is, and if they’ve ever
eaten it in the sunshine and felt okay.
I ask if they have someone back at home
that they’re doing this for,
or if they just like monetising a soft voice.
You have a very nice voice, I say,
and they laugh, awkwardly. Kindly,
they ask if I meant to call the Samaritans instead.
I say *no, they blocked my number,
and they expect me to be killing myself every time.*
Are you killing yourself now?
Slowly. Do you have a boyfriend?
No, baby, I’m all yours.
Don’t lie.
I have a baby on the way. I’m just trying
to make ends meet.
*I get it. Me too. By the way,
do you even like ice cream?*
Not really.
*Me neither. I don’t know why I brought that up
in the first place. Are you lonely?*
Right now?
Yeah. Now.
A little bit.
*I am killing myself, by the way. I just wanted
to talk to someone before I go.*
That’s okay. Your call will be charged anyway.
From a portfolio I wrote in third year of university, titled 'Infestation'.
Request permission to use this poem