can i talk to Sylvia, please

lonely at times,

a little blue

and glum, partly cloudy,

you don't

mind the wrong number

caller

who asks to talk to

someone you don't know.

is Sylvia there?

they ask,

no, you tell them, 

she's not.

but you try to keep them on the line

just the same,

using your

most pleasant voice.

you ask them

personal questions about

their life,

how they're getting along.

where do you live, you

ask, do you have children,

a wife.

do you like your job?

do you have any pets,

cats, dogs?

how's your health?

perhaps we could talk again

sometime, 

maybe meet for a drink

or lunch,

you say to them,

before they quietly hang up.