Billboards
Billboards send some interesting messages, some better than others. I remember reading a particular one before I wrote a poem about it. I was thinking about a friend whom I couldn't contact. She'd moved away without a forwarding address. We later got in touch again when I saw the obituary of her husband in the paper. But while I was puzzled about where they went, I wrote this poem that was published by Tower Poetry Society (Summer 2009). The billboard says "Afford to retire" What does it mean? That I can afford to retire? That few can afford it? There was a number and a place retire in Elliot Lake you once said Is that where you went? The day I called a mechanical voice said "This number is no longer in service" no forwarding number nada I've searched the book hoping to find you I wanted to say goodbye, hello, where are you A goodbye would have been kind a forwarding address even better