the crying baby

you reach an age

where

things that never bothered

you

bother you now.

babies crying

for instance.

the shriek of a child in

a store

or on the bus.

anywhere actually.

their faces gooey with

tears

red faced

and showing their

new sharp teeth to the world.

or chatty women with

stories

with no end.

telling you about an uncle

in Syracuse

with shingles

or aunt

in Louisiana with six cats.

you yawn and put the phone

down

and fold clothes,

do a cross word puzzle

until

the story stops, not ends.

and then

respond with oh my.

well, gotta go now.