The Other Shoe

Say what it is you needed to say,
it was something substantial for you to have been standing out there in the rain---

Speak up,
if not for you,
then for my ease and momentum

Try harder,
try more not to choke on those precious words of yours

I picked up the phone when it was good and safe for me to do so,
and I laid it all on the line,
for me,
and not you,

and then I strung you up like a talking marionette
and I held on(to) the other end of that string tin can
and I waited for you to break the silence

for you to break free of those whispers,
our whispers,
and say what it is I needed you to say---