the late call

it's the midnight phone call
that gives you chills.
makes you sit up straight in bed,
startled by the harsh ring
of the phone.
it can only mean trouble,
disaster or death.
you stagger towards the line
and pick it up, say a soft
hello and wait. you are
happy to not hear your son's voice,
or anyone that you know,
or the word officer being
followed by a serious name,
you exhale and say no,
but thank you for calling,
you're not in the market for
new windows, especially at this
hour of three a.m.