The Quiet World<br /><br />In an effort to get people to look<br />into each other’s eyes more,<br />and also to appease the mutes,<br />the government has decided<br />to allot each person exactly one hundred <br />and sixty-seven words, per day.<br /><br />When the phone rings, I put it to my ear <br />without saying hello. In the restaurant <br />I point at chicken noodle soup.<br />I am adjusting well to the new way.<br /><br />Late at night, I call my long distance lover, <br />proudly say <i>I only used fifty-nine today. <br />I saved the rest for you.</i><br /><br />When she doesn’t respond,<br />I know she’s used up all her words, <br />so I slowly whisper <i>I love you</i><br />thirty-two and a third times.<br />After that, we just sit on the line <br />and listen to each other breathe.