Distraction

“I’m sorry,” I say, “I have to stop talking right now.”

I can’t concentrate on what you’re saying,
need to put you on hold for a bit because
I’m totally distracted, watching a wounded animal
wander around my back yard, staggering
like a big cat, or maybe a small dog, I’m not sure,
can’t see it very clearly, my new glasses, perhaps
the prescription was wrong.

I have to put you on hold so I can walk out
go see what it is,
what’s going on.

It runs under a bush as I approach,
so I go there, get down on my knees,
looking, waiting for some movement,
my knees getting numb,
it won’t come.

After a while, I stand up,
head back to the house, stoop to pick up
a dead branch, break it into pieces
for the trash.

Suddenly,
I remember I have you on hold,
run to the phone,
but when I pick up and say, “Sorry,
are you still there?” all I hear
is dead silence on your end.

* * * * *

Today’s word is

distraction

Use it to inspire a piece of writing, then post what you write below. I would love to read what you write : )