The farmer hefts the black telephone
to his ear and listens for a dial tone
before slowly dragging each number
around, mouthing it quietly to himself.
Who will answer, he’s not entirely
sure, but he wants to tell them, “I used to be
a good man. Now I’m only sound.”
His wife peels apples into a coffee can,
humming along with the radio
even though she’s been deaf for years.
Brian Beatty is the author of two recent poetry collections, Brazil, Indiana (Kelsay Books, 2017) and Coyotes I Couldn’t See (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2016). His writing has also been featured in public art projects and on public radio. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.