Jean McCormack

Calling the ex at seventy-nine

He’s in the hospital
in Balclutha

eighty-two now
heart trouble, etc . . .

I’m reasonable,
high blood pressure
now under control
watery eyes when I go out
in the cold
but that’s minor

Who is it he says . . .
Jean . . .
Who?
JEAN . . .
Who? Spell it!
Louder this time . . . J E A N . . .
Joan?
No! JEAN . . .
Jane?
NO! JEAN!

Oh! JUNE! JUNE! (delighted)
(Those names from the 1920s! But who is June, I wonder . . .
haven’t heard of that one…)

JEAN! YOUR CHILDREN’S MOTHER!

Oh, JEAN!

We talk for a while
as much as is possible,
he asks after the sons, the mokopuna . . .

He tires
says good-bye
but I hear no clicking off.
I hold the phone

Then I hear faintly, the quavery but
melodious voice . . .

My heart is sad and lonely, de da, de da, de daaa . . .

Author’s Note

Sources

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