Oh, hello.

In an effort to get people to look

into each others’ eyes more,

and also to appease the mutes,

the government has decided

to allot each person exactly one hundred

and sixty-seven words per day.

When the phone rings, I put it to my ear

without saying hello. In the restaurant

I point at chicken noodle soup.

I am adjusting well to the new way.

Late at night, I call my long distance lover,

proudly say, “I only used fifty-nine today.

I saved the rest for you.”

When she doesn’t respond

I know she’s used up all her words,

so I slowly whisper “I love you”

thirty-two and a third times.

After that, we just sit on the line

and listen to each other breathe.