Mrs. Malone

Mrs. Malone used to wait by the phone
in case someone should happen to call.
She stopped taking showers, gave up on her flowers.
In fact, she had no life at all.

She never could tell if she’d hear it too well
if she started the washer and dryer.
Likewise, if she mowed, if she flushed the commode
or should exit in case of a fire.

She would not wash her hair; all her cupboards were bare.
She’d no food in the house any more.
She was all skin and bone but feared someone might phone
if she went to the grocery store.

When Mrs. Malone passed away by the phone
the bells chimed and the angel choir sang.
And once she was gone and her soul had moved on,
well you guessed it - her telephone rang.

©1993 Linda Knaus