Amy Hempel Gets It

 static

white noise

i didn't notice i was listening

so hard for words

beyond the grave of silence

of whatever we were

shoulders hunched

ears straining

waiting

moving through my day

automatically

crackles

and then it is clear

audible

the blow and the gift of

You

knowing i am not

forgotten

i thought i was a ghost again

and maybe i am

but there is a blip

on the radar

for good or evil

you haven't forgotten me

my face isn't fading

but my day,

my week

are fucked again

and there is

a definite

hint of smoke

how close can I get

to the fire this time

maybe

you're the ghost

begging

not to be forgotten

a whisp of smoke

from a fire

extinguished

bet i'm your fourth text of the night