COUNSELOR: Poetry Crisis Line, what is your emergency?
CALLER: Because I do not hope to turn again
COUNSELOR: Could I get you to pull over before you continue this call?
CALLER: Because I do not hope
COUNSELOR: No, it’s for your own safety.
CALLER: Because I do not hope
COUNSELOR: Whatever it is, it can’t be completely hopeless. What is it you’re hoping for?
CALLER: to turn
COUNSELOR: Is there a lot of traffic? Just pull over now, and make the turn once you’re off the phone.
CALLER: Desiring this man’s gift
COUNSELOR: Are you gift shopping? If you’re in a mall parking lot, I can understand why turning seems hopeless.
CALLER: And
COUNSELOR: Is it a close friend? What are you planning to get him?
CALLER: that man’s scope
COUNSELOR: Used mouthwash? As a gift?
CALLER: I no longer strive
COUNSELOR: No kidding.
CALLER: to strive toward such things.
COUNSELOR: Yeah, you’ve seriously stopped trying.
CALLER: (Why
COUNSELOR: Because it’s a gift. A present should be something…you know, … something someone will actually want.
CALLER: Should the aged eagle stretch its wings?)
COUNSELOR: That’s more imaginative than used mouthwash, I’ll grant you. But, um, when it comes to gift ideas, you might also want to steer clear of endangered species.