The voice

I kept calling

even when

the news said

what I feared.

I kept calling

when the sky

went quiet

and your phone

stayed silent.

I kept calling

because the not knowing

was worse

than the end.

and then—

the end came.

and still,

I called.

for weeks.

for months.

just to hear

your voice

say hello

one more time.

because

grief is

a number

you know by heart

and still dial

even when

no one

answers.