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About the Poem

I think many of us have had that horrible moment of sheer panic when the ringing of a telephone awakens us in the early morning hours from a deep sleep. This is the only time we truly wish for it to be a "wrong number". Unfortunately, this poem was inspired by an all-too-real, life-altering incident.

The Phone Call

The call that comes in darkest sleep,
Awakens with a fright;
For 2 am, the silence breaks
The peaceful calm of night.

When only moments earlier,
I dreamt of visions fair;
Of light and love and happiness;
... Till ringing filled the air.

It beckoned me from deepest sleep,
And drew me from my daze;
I shook my head to clear my mind,
Find focus through this haze.

"How long has this been ringing?"
As I reach to find the light;
I steal a glance toward the clock,
And now my heart takes flight!

'Tis many hours before the dawn,
Yet all should be in bed;
My loved ones faces fill the night;
... My heart is filled with dread.

I struggle for composure as
I reach to grab the phone;
My stomach churns, my heart contracts;
"Are all my kids at home?"

I stumble as I grasp the handle,
Stifle silent screams;
"Oh God ... please let this phone call
Be a part of just a dream!"

My heart is racing, mind's a whirl,
Receiver's made of lead;
"Oh, how can this be happening!"
"Who's on the other end?!"

Just seconds pass and yet I find
It's been eternity;
I raise the phone to panicked ear;
"Oh please ... don't be for me!"

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Visitor Comments (from the Voting form)
Christina
I liked this poem because I got a phone call telling me that my mom had past away. No one wants to get that phone call.
Diana
it is very true n exprienced by me n is really very irritating i swear good keep it up!
Shannon
That is terrorizing. I want to know what happens!
Choya
This is really good, there for a second i thought it was going to turn out to a movie ive watched, when a stanger calls, so i was like, umm. but when it finished it was good, i was really surprised, you did a great job! I also write poem
Allyson
This poem made a very big impact on me. I recieved a call telling me that my grandfather had died of a heart-attack and i had only seen him a few hours ealier happy and just reading about how sometimes things happen for an unknown reason and it hurts more than anything, not being able to know why they decided to left you at the time they did.
Abriel
i really like da poem. i poetry and sometimes i sit there and wonder wat i dink when i write them.
Carina
I think this poem is nice and sort of scary at the same time because when you're reading thisyou picture in your mind at one part it sounds calm then at the other part it just sounds so frightning. I like poems that have mixed emotions so i thought this was a great poem.
asminda
it was very spirttall
Erica
The definition of a great poet, is one who can stir emotions inside of you, and recall memories and feelings. This is why I would have you to call you a great poet. This poem reminded me not only of the dreadful phone call that I recived in the middle of the night, but also the emotions that I felt when I'd heard the news. I enjoyed the way you kept the reader wondering who on earth was on the other end of the phone. It truly served its purpose as I actually AM itching to know who had called (nosy I know!) Anyways, fantastic work! --Erica (13)
METRIC
THAT WAS JUST WOUNDERFUL I CAN TRUELY RELATE TO YOUR DECRIPTION OF THE CALL THAT IS SO TRUE IN LIFE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Heather
I loved your poem it is how you truly fell when you get that dreaded call in the middle of the night. You have cought all the emotion of it, it was such a wounderful poems.
suneetha
i have had this experience, of this call at past midnight, i really sensed bad news even before my husband attended the call, it was a most beloved uncle, who met with a motor accident , had an immediate brain death and passed away within the next two days. calls at night still make me shiver.
Miranda
I thougt it was very nice and you should have told who it was who was it?
shayla
very nice poem!
brittany
i think the poem is really good
Indee
hey i love this poem it touched me very much just like what i have been thinking for a couple years thanks for sharing!
Dorothy
I vote for this poem because it's well written, many people can relate to it, rhymes well, about two years ago my son and I had a quarterly magazine It was an all rhyme magazine I gave it up when my son passed away, This was one of the poems I would have liked to use
Kathy
I have had the phone ring in the middle of the night and felt this fear. I know a few times I have said " Dear God let everything be ok. My parents are older and I fear the day I will get that call in the middle of the night.
Steve
I think it was very moving, I found myself thinking about my 2 teenagers in bed asleep, and how I can never go to sleep untill I know they're safely home.
Tom
I liked it
Lianne
Reading your poem brought me back to that horrible night at 3 am when the phone call I received sent me out into the night, literally screaming from a pain so deep, so intense, that I could not control this agony from being released. Thank you for writing this down so well!
Brittany
All of your poems are so wonderful and enjoyable! They have truely inspired me! You are a really great writer and I enjoy you tremendously! Thank you for helping me with my writings and keep on doing what you are doing!
Mario
This poem gives insight on some people's worst fear, lssig a family. I'm a writer myself and got a chill down my back after I finised reading that poem
Krisna
This poem tore my heart to shreds. it is forever etched in mind.
kayla
good poem
Jen
This poem completely filled my senses again. It's so terrifying what one small phone call can bring to someone. I remember waking up after hearing the phone, and my parents telling me about my best friend. I know what it feels like, but I also know that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. God has truly blessed you, Kit.
beth
it was suspenceful
n/a
I kind of understand the poem just a little i get that feeling to when someone calls that late also
nana
THIS WAS SO TRUE ANYONE WITH TEEN AGE CHILDREN SHOULD READ THIS AND GOD BLESS ALL WHO DOE;S AND HOPE AND PRAY THAT ANY OF YOU WHO GET A CALL LIKE THIS ALL YOUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE OR IT IS THE WRONG NUMBER.
Kri
Wow. as I read your poem, I felt I wrote it, infact it seems almost my words. Bless your ever future call, for I understand. keep writing it touched a spirt.
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Poems for the People   -  Poems by the People