Waiting

The phone rings
and I wait for you
to answer.

I'm always waiting
for you,
for her,
for someone
to be there for me.

It's an epidemic,
a plague,
I cannot escape -
this constant waiting.

It's like living a life
on pause,
in mid-sentence
or in mid-breath.

No relief,
no movement
forward
or back,
just the stillness
of what is.

I just keep waiting.

Then, I hear your voice
and the beast
that was lurking
deep
in the murkiest
waters of my soul
settles down
as you say hello.

He's always waiting, too.