And I want to ask for whom
and how long must I hold

and exactly what is so precious
to require holding on indefinitely

but there is no one to ask
only a voice that echoes

Please continue to hold.

And I want to know
if in the end it will matter.

I need to drop the phone;
can’t do that if I obey

Please continue to hold.

I hear the message too loudly
amplified by my reluctance;

it restricts, cuts off the now
leaves me in anticipation.

I should just hang it up
yet I wait for an answer

I expect a new message
from that liquid voice.

that gives permission to finally
let go. I wait longer only to hear:

Please continue to hold.