farther away

my wife and daughter are off to orlando, visiting family (not mickey). i wrote the poem "farther away" a couple of years ago when she had gone to Maine but it is appropriate everytime she travels. for clarification: we have two cats, but only one would ever actually answer the telephone or meet me at the door.

I called from work today to say hello,

like I always do but remembered the kids

were away at camp and you were

still visiting friends in Maine.

I call everyday because it balances me and

even today, knowing I could only leave a message

and erase it when I come home. I wanted the

cat to hear it, maybe he would respond to me when I

unlock the front door, maybe greet me in his cat way

and tell me that he heard the phone ring. He could tell me

that you also called to say hello and you were sure

the kids were fine,

and that you missed me while

you were having fun, somewhere else

farther away than I can ever walk.