She looked at the watch again, at 12.
At 1 she drank some gin;
at 2 the equation cried again.
Hey You was the ring back tone.
Out there on your own,
no answer, says the phone.
Press 1 to hear his voice.
7 for the inbox.
Or leave a message at the tone.
The equation cries,
“One eight oh three
Oh nine for four,
Oh three, oh one.”
She read a text again.
“Imagine I’m in front of you,” it said.
“Or call me if you’d like.”
The equation cries again:
1
8 0 3
9 4 4
0 3 0 1
She heard Hey You once more,
before the plastic said,
“I’m afraid I’m not at home, right now,
speak when you hear the tone.”
Press 1 to leave a call back number.
1
5 to exit.
Or press star to cancel.
Press END to return home.”
One eight oh three,
Nine for four,
Oh three oh one that song—
equals the one who isn’t home.
*94403011
[1+5 CLR *+17=0(1)-5* END]
In what part of the world do you live? South Carolina, USA
Title of Poem or Short Story (FOR ALL AUDIENCES ages 0-99) The Crying Equation