The eyes open to a blue telephone In the bathroom of this…
““The eyes open to a blue telephone In the bathroom of this five-star hotel. I wonder whom I should call? A plumber, Proctologist, urologist, or priest? Who is blessed among us and most deserves The first call? I choose my father because He’s astounded by bathroom telephones. I dial home. My mother answers. “Hey, Ma,” I say, “Can I talk to Poppa?” She gasps, And then I remember that my father Has been dead for nearly a year. “Shit, Mom,” I say. “I forgot he’s dead. I’m sorry— How did I forget?” “It’s okay,” she says. “I made him a cup of instant coffee This morning and left it on the table— Like I have for, what, twenty-seven years— And I didn’t realize my mistake Until this afternoon.” My mother laughs At the angels who wait for us to pause During the most ordinary of days And sing our praise to forgetfulness Before they slap our souls with their cold wings. Those angels burden and unbalance us. Those fucking angels ride us piggyback. Those angels, forever falling, snare us And haul us, prey and praying, into dust.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A surreal monologue blends grief, memory, and absurdity, showing how mundane objects trigger profound reflections on loss and the afterlife.
In simple terms: A phone call triggers memories of a dead father, mixing humor and sorrow.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how everyday moments can surface deep emotions.
Themes
grief
memory
absurdity
family
afterlife
Mood
melancholic
darkly humorous
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- family conversation
- death contemplation
Key Concepts
surrealism
narrative voice
cultural commentary
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor affect processing grief?
- What does the telephone symbolize?
A Different Perspective
It mixes humor with tragedy, which may diminish the seriousness of grief for some readers.