the kitchen phone

i go back

to the black kitchen wall phone

with the long

cord that will

extend to the basement

stairs

where i can talk in private.

i'm done with the batteries,

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth,

the new age

gizmos

with all their bells

and whistles,

useless junk.

give me the solid rock

on the wall

to answer its ring,

to dial and talk

with a voice i can hear,

with no calls dropped.

give me

the old standby, it worked

then,

and it will work again.