When moms don’t answer phones

Somehow

It adds insult to injury

I’m an adult

I don’t need to be parented

I just

Need my parent.

She’s busy,

Working, gardening, reading, sleeping.

She’s an adult.

Adults just have to do things.

I just have to make decisions.

On my own.

But I don’t want to.

I just want my mom to pick up the phone.

She trained me well

For adulthood.

I am prepared.

But I’m not ready

For her to not pick up the phone.

7.13.22 | SDG

Published in Free The Verse, Issue 6 | Summer 2023