22. Long Distance Call

He had someone call me today
after rummaging through his phone book
wanting to talk to someone.

He feels alone,
probably scared, wanting to recapture it all
before the light goes out.

Friendships are important to him -
were important to him -
how do you say it?

He's dying, actively,
this last month or so.

He's too tired to stay on the phone,
his voice is thin and too weak for understanding,

I tell him I wish I could be there,
he says he wishes I could be there too.
I tell him I love him,
he tells me he loves me too.

I have no more words,
I am too weak now for words,
and he is too tired to hear
them anyway.