I wait hours to talk to him after

“Errors occur“

And hold music good enough to dance to in the

Hallway of the doctor’s office

He is so kind at 3 am India time

Helps me untangle my returns

Asks me if I am ready for Halloween?

I tell him I celebrate fall

He says he does as well and

Hindu holidays strung out like lights on a wire

He asks me about the weather?

I tell him that it has just cooled off in Texas—beautiful and cool and he

Tells me it is beautiful where he is today too—rain so joy-filled that beauty is not enough

I tell him I think he must be a poet and he tells me I must be a good guesser

We bless each other with words

And suddenly the detour feels worth it.