The Black Phone

A black phone I dislike our phone a sleek monster in a corner I never answer it when it rings unless my wife is out My mobile phone is in the pocket in my jacket in the hall Where I can`t hear it when it rings, it is usually someone Trying to sell me something, but I never go out driving Without my mobile it comes in handy if the car breaks Down and I have to call the garage with a tow- truck Years ago I used to do haiku; it did my head in The bloody phone always rang when I had the right Word on the tip of my tongue often I took the phone Off its hook but I could hear it humming which was Worse when I was still young enough to think A phone could bring good news something like “We have decided to publish your book” it never Happened instead, it rang to give me heart-wrenching News, an early morning call: your mother has died.