the land line

i don't have any money
i say when picking up the phone
before hearing a word.
it's the irs.
i can hear a thousand voices
talking at once
in the cavernous warehouse.
it's about a student loan,
it's about discount
drugs
in Canada.
new windows, or the police,
or fireman wanting
a donation.
sorry, but i'm plum out
of cash at the moment i
say, then hang up
and wait for the next call.