Alice

I'm nearly asleep
when she calls.
I zone out thinking
about the beguiling power of her eyes
changing from blue to green
and back again, so
I don't answer
until after the 11th ring.
I don't look forward
to speaking with her, but
she has a way of polishing
the dull finish of boredom,
and blunting
the sharp edges of distraction.
When I hear the familiar,
smoky voice
I realize
I never really had a choice.