long distance

it was costly
to call long distance in the old
days.
let's call the old days,
the 1960s.
collect calls,
waiting for the person
to pick up,
as the operator held
on and asked by name if
they'd accept the call.
or if in a pay phone,
slipping coin after coin
into the slot for a few more
minutes.
the calls were kept short
to keep the phone
bill down.
others would get on
the bedroom line to chime in.
then the hurried I love you.
I love you,
but we have to go.
a letter would follow.
with pictures enclosed,
but the call, the voice
on the other line was what
you wanted to hear.