The Voicemail

The Voicemail

I heard an old voicemail today, that caught me unawares,
Three months ago my mother called,
“Nothing urgent, please ring me back.”
I did, three months ago.
I cannot now.

Now all I can do is cry.
But the sorrow is tinged with joy;
Because I rang her back
And spoke to her
And did all that she could ask,
And it was nice to hear that voice.

I don’t know why I saved it,
A miracle that such a simple message
Could mean so much
And touch so deep.
I left the message there,
Too bitter-sweet to play again,
Too important to delete.