PHONE CALL FROM THE PAST

Too many years have passed
for easy calculation.
Borrow ten from the left
column, subtract, and shake
your head in startled disbelief.

The conversation lurches
from mundane to awkward,
rights its feet, treads close
to danger, retreats, scrambles
to find firm foothold.

Behind the polite questions
lurk the real ones:
    Where have you been?
    Where are you now?
    Who are you now?
    Why have you called?
    No really. Why have you called?