wanting to say more

your father,
approaching
eighty seven
calls and leaves
a message.
he asks where are you.
makes a joke
about an approaching
storm,
ebola, and marriage.
all dangerous
and eventful
scares.
call me he says.
coughs, then waits, as
if you might be
listening, then says
goodbye.
you hear the phone
jostling in
it's cradle,
you hear
the empty cloud
of his voice,
breathing, his
wanting to say more.