Mr. Voice Calls Long Distance

It's a trick of air and wire.
A recording asks for permission
now that technology can accept
the word yes. Yes.

So he ventures forth cross-country
like something with velcro paws
on a tightrope, no net.
At the end of each sentence
his story waits for balance
swaying in a side-to-side view.

he brings what's new.
When a pebble finds the center of a pool
Mr. Voice fans into rings
invisible and fluid
for love's far shore.
Someplace else slips inside the ear,
this language familiar.
Cadence pauses, vibrato falls.

-- Joanne Lowery