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“It was then I remembered back to those days and how telephones used to jump when they rang. And the people who would come in those early-morning hours to pound on the door in alarm. Never mind the alarm felt inside. I remembered that, and gravy dinners. Knives lying around, waiting for trouble. Going to bed and hoping I wouldn’t wake up. I love you, Bro, you said. And then a sob passed between us. I took hold of the receiver as if it were my buddy’s arm. And I wished for us both I could put my arms around you, old friend. I love you too, Bro. I said that, and then we hung up.” — Raymond Carver
It was then I remembered
back to those days and how
telephones used to jump when they rang.
And the people who would come
in those early-morning hours
to pound on the door in alarm.
Never mind the alarm felt inside.
I remembered that, and gravy dinners.
Knives lying around, waiting
for trouble. Going to bed
and hoping I wouldn’t wake up.
I love you, Bro, you said.
And then a sob passed
between us. I took hold
of the receiver as if
it were my buddy’s arm.
And I wished for us both
I could put my arms
around you, old friend.
I love you too, Bro.
I said that, and then we hung up.