Nuisance Calls

I’m on their list; they call me now, like old friends
They worry about my health and safety, they have
Alarm systems and personal call buttons aplenty
Awaiting word; those break-ins that happen every
Few seconds thwarted, while I live safely alone
With help a quick button push away, ambulances
Roaring through the night, I picture them in the
Driveway, breaking down the door, my home alarm
Blaring away, my phone ringing in the background
With a new offer, lower interest rates perhaps or
One of the ones that say they’re not selling anything
But have just a few questions for me, there are trips
To be taken and bulbs to buy, a guy who wants to talk
To me in my home about my portfolio, how all my
Investments could be doing better, and there is another
Has some vague service that my computer needs and
He will provide, though he speaks very little English
But keeps calling about the same time every day
Hoping to finally wear me down; I’m on the list
They call me now, like my old friends might if they
Had something to sell me and knew that I pick up
Every time thinking this time it might be important.

-- J. K. Durick