New Poetry by Robert Halleck

KANSAS CITY

My sister called to tell me that Martha

had jumped from a hotel balcony in

Kansas City. She left no note and called

no one, leaving the earth to wonder why.

At least three times a week for 30 years

they had talked while my sister raised children,

nursed the sick, and flunked Marriage 101.

Martha in her trousers, soft hair, and blue eyes

had private schooled, earned summa cum laude,

and took Wall Street by storm and partners

like the pioneer she was. Wall Street took her

ideas and gave no credit. The partners just left.

I remembered little of the young Martha 

across the street and she remembered much,

reminding me of the time she dropped her

ice cream cone on the seat of my car

and how I didn't get mad but just drove

back to Baskin Robbins to get another.

That was the beginning that ended in 

Kansas City leaving my sister to wonder why

and me to hold a phone listening to sobs

that went on and on until a click to silence.

- Robert Halleck 2015

Robert Halleck is a hospice volunteer and retired banker who lives in Del Mar, CA. Over 55 years he has written three books of poetry and collected a large file of rejection notices and acceptances from many poetry publications.