Deafness

When she called to tell me the news
I took the call on the phone in the kitchen
where the song on the radio surprised me
because I always turn off the radio
as soon as I hear the phone ringing

remembering her singing,
baa baa black sheep,
as a baby girl singing,
have you any wool
baa baa black sheep
baa baa
baa

I had to brace myself against the counter
and catch my breath
when the bleating of the phone
made me wonder why
I didn’t end that call.