sometimes when the phone rings
the news you hear next
is like a punch to the gut
with a simultaneous slide tackle
so that your legs crumble
and you can’t catch your breath
your vision is blurry
due to tears from the news
not physical pain
sometimes it’s just too damn much
and then a little more
just to see how much it takes
before you double over
crying
in racking sobs
and can’t stop
all because the phone rang
with news you didn’t expect
and you have to make an appointment
the breaks your heart
and depending on the results
it may break even more
no
not this too
it’s just too damn much

June 20, 2012