Waiting

WAITED We waited such a long time for your call We jumped each time the senseless phone would ring Each car door slamming was another wall Of time built up around us--time to crawl Through hours till morning--frightened time to cling We waited such a long time for your call We held our breath and heard small sounds grow tall We wondered what the next mail truck might bring Each car door slamming was another wall The sirens wailing were the worst of all The come-and-go: a child's gone-crazy swing We waited such a long time for your call How heavy silence is in its slow fall How long life is when measured by its sting Each car door slamming was another wall Those sirens with that manic high-pitched bawl What can they mean in memory...anything? We waited such a long time for your call Each car door slamming was another wall