A Cold Calling

The cold calls were upsetting at first, after a while, I almost wished for the heavy breathing silence. It was satisfying to think of someone on the other end sighing disgustedly at my own mechanical voice message. Later I imagined that person, working a second or third job, desperate and tired fingers thumbing through lists of possibles, only to come to rest on my number, and my scorning disregard. Of course it’s all probably computer generated and automated. No actual humanity involved, except for the scam artists. They have definitely got the human touch. Maybe I can get a tele-marketing job? Most poets have the necessary skills to be disruptive, intrusive, and convincing, and I can always wave my conscience goodbye as I hunt you all down.