soothe me just this once

when i called you from the pay phone
at the hotel
after he hit me

i got your answering machine
i tried to tell you
as quickly as i could

a woman came up to me while i was
in the lobby
asked if i was okay

that’s when i realized i was scraped
up, bleeding
i told her i was fine

please just tell me you’re at home
screening calls
pick up the phone

you think i brought this on myself,
don’t you
please just this once

pick up the phone, listen to me
soothe me just this once
help me