this unexpected-

this unexplained-

hush little baby don’t say a word

The voice. On the other side of the phone,
where I couldn’t see.

momma’s gonna buy you a mockingbird

(Hello?)

(Hi, it’s me.)

(I don’t…what’s up?)

(I didn’t get the abortion.)

and if that mockingbird don’t sing

The voice. Your voice.

momma’s gonna buy you a diamond ring

the sound of-

on the other side-

and if that diamond ring turns brass

(Why?)

(I’m keeping it.)

momma’s gonna buy you a looking glass

Your voice. So like hers. Maybe that’s why
I fell in love with you. Remembering.
Your voice. Your words.

and if that looking glass gets broke

this unexpected-

the sound of-

momma’s gonna buy you a billy goat

Your words. Your belly
still flat but ready to grow, imagining. You’re so small
what would you look like?
Heavy with child, would you still be mine?

and if that billy goat won’t pull

in the background-

or perhaps behind the words-

momma’s gonna buy you a cart and bull

(Keeping it. I didn’t.)

(You didn’t? What…)

(I don’t know…)

(are you)

(am I)

(going to do?)

and if that cart and bull roll over

I can’t think of you. Of me without
imagining the future so far away. My sister’s sweatshirt
your camouflage hat
nine months from now.

momma’s gonna buy you a dog named rover

somewhere you can’t-

somewhere I can’t-

and if that dog named rover won’t bark

(I don’t know.)

momma’s gonna buy you a horse and cart

Nine months from now. An eternity.
What’s going to happen to us?

and if that horse and cart fall down

where do we-
(go)
from here?

you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

The dial tone, like your eyes when you cry. And behind the words

the silence.