One-Thousand-Nine-Hundred-Ninety-Eight Miles

I wish that I could kiss you through the phone:

gather your body in my arms; hold you.

Nights and weekends we’d not be alone

and five hundred “anytime minutes” too.

I’d probably get a higher-priced plan,

‘cause five hundred minutes won’t be enough.

I’d call you every minute that I can

Sometimes I’d resist, but it would be tough.

Unfortunately, it would take a while

To cross the distance that lies between us—

One-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-eight miles,

Two full days in a car, three on a bus

Errands I have here leave me with no choice:

wishes for kisses and the phone for your voice.

November 12, 2003

Benjamin J. Cline