Monday, June 30, 2008

Diana Webb: A CALL

.
Someone on the end of a phone line 24/7. Open to visitors 10 a.m.–9 p.m. You don't have to be suicidal.

The nineteenth century building, base for the volunteer listening service, next door but one to a hostel for the homeless. Often an ambulance outside. Police cars.

early morning chirps
on the Samaritans' sill —
a house sparrow
.
On the doorstep a man crouched with a cup of tea. A woman in a see-through plastic raincoat, knitting.


by Diana Webb
London, England
first published in
Quartet (Teneriffe, Qld.: Post Pressed, 2008)

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