If I Don’t Text Back
Gentle reminders for digital times — inspired by Lyndsay Rush
If I don’t text back, it’s because
the baby is crying, and dinner is on the stove
and I love you but,
I’m trying not to burn my house down.
If I don’t text back, it’s because
there is a pile of laundry that’s resting on my bed
and there are emails to answer and deadlines to meet,
and so,
I have to use my hands to write and put away our clothes,
for I would prefer that my husband and I
don’t get tangled with our socks as we sleep.
If I don’t text back, it’s because
I have been dealing with people all day long —
answering questions, and,
putting out fires, and
trying to brace myself for the chaos that
will occur tomorrow — so right now
I need a minute of silence,
or maybe even two.
If I don’t text back, it’s never because
I don’t love you, or
care about you, or
want to hear from you —
it’s because sometimes,
I’d rather save my words for when I can
see you and
hear you and
talk to you in person.
