My Good Voice

I let the phone ring through the kitchen, Then put my good voice on. There’s weather coming through the wire. I say, “Tell me what’s gone wrong.” My own bad night stays folded In the pocket of my robe. By the time we finish talking, There’s another pot to put on. Lord, let somebody be strong for me. Let these shoulders come down. I’ve been a roof in everybody’s rain. There’s water in my house. If I set one corner down tonight, Will everything come loose? Lord, let somebody be strong for me. I don’t know how to ask them to. They call me a rock at the table. I wish they would pull me a chair. I know how to make room for sorrow, How to listen, what food to prepare. But someone asked what I needed. I laughed while I searched for a word. Then asked if she’d eaten that morning. She stayed with the question she’d heard. Lord, let somebody be strong for me. Let these shoulders come down. I’ve been a roof in everybody’s rain. There’s water in my house. If I set one corner down tonight, Will everything come loose? Lord, let somebody be strong for me. I don’t know how to ask them to. She came with a dish wrapped in towels. I reached for the weight out of habit. She said, “Leave it. Show me the kitchen.” I stood there with nothing to carry. And all of the words I’d been holding Came out with no order or grace. She sat while the supper went cold. I never once checked on her plate. Lord, let somebody be strong for me. Let these shoulders come down. Let a hand I didn’t have to summon Find the trouble in this house. I thought that love might pass me by If I had nothing left to do. But she stayed when I had nothing. Lord, help me believe that You will too. Tomorrow has already called. For once, I let it ring. There are two cups on the table. I let her pour for me. Let somebody be strong for me.