Party Line Love
A quiet moment in the dark,
the phone pressed to his ear.
This girl is more than just a lark.
His love for her is clear.
In awkward verse he spills his love,
but then that awful click
reminds him that they’re not alone.
He better make it quick.
But as he speaks it comes again,
that awful, dreaded tone.
“Get off before I count to ten.
We need to use the phone.”
He knows it happens every time,
so what’s a boy to do
but call her on the party line
and share his love so true.
Today is Day 17 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month,
and the prompt at napowrimo.net is to write a poem about forgotten technology.
This one goes back to the 1960s.
Image source: pixabay.com
rivrvlogr 
Nostalgia … I do not miss party lines, but I do have a few memories I cherish. My dad once needed to make a call and after checking several times to find the same women gabbing (his assessment) he laid the phone down beside the piano and gave them a long and loud concert. When he finished, the line was clear, he made his call. I was preschool, but that afternoon is as tangible as if yesterday. You just took me back there – thanks! This poem’s a keeper.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks. :)What a fun memory!
LikeLiked by 1 person
+1 ! I too remember those days,. I remember once I picked up the phone and heard my 4th grade teacher talking to someone. Somehow she knew it was me on the line. Kind of eerie, now that I think about it…
LikeLiked by 2 people
What was worse when there was silence and you knew the other person hadn’t hung up right away. Snoops!
LikeLike
I remember party lines, and so glad we don’t have them now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those were the days, my friend.
We thought they’d never end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My grandmother had a party line…someone was always listening in! (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it was a tradition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect choice. So well done. The fervent need interrupted. Nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
Fun, Ken!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank, V.J. Those were interesting times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They sure were!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. Reminds me of stories my dad used to tell about their rural town’s phone system.
LikeLike