On Hold

On Hold

three years now, and holding;
convincing myself to cancel the order,
that I can do without;

phone pressed to my ear all the while -
patience waning, knuckles white

item is backordered, still delayed;
please stay on the line.

I am one of those compliant customers
who amiably agrees to wait;

and so I wait,
phone receiver clammy cold
against cartilage and skin,

waiting
for the order to come in.
I haven’t been pissed off at you this way
since first we met.

still nothing so much as a beep -
silence and silent anger on the line.

you always were obvlivious,
never suspecting it felt like this.

still waiting.
please hold, miss.