The Phrase Without Borders

 

Just bear with me, the voice on the line said.

Your call is important to us.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this

Over the past few weeks:

Librarians, telcos, clinics, call centres

In India, Thailand.

A phrase without borders

 

I have always done as requested.

I have borne much.

There should be a medal awarded:

The O.I.P

The Order of Infinite Patience

Whose recipients would be many.

I can imagine St. Peter

Perusing the names of the recently dead

And, on coming to mine, say,

Just bear with me. I’ll be with you in a moment

Before checking my details

& letting me through.