THROWBACK THURSDAY: MASTERPIECE #41 (11/27/09)

/// Mildred didn’t say anything daring.
Spoke no “dirty” words; no sinful swearing.
Still, men paid well to hear
her describe, loud and clear
in detail every stitch she was wearing.

/// The anonymous men who were phoning
would, at times, interrupt Mildred’s droning.
There was one who would rankle,
begging, “Now bare your ankle.”
Then he’d go back to panting and moaning.

/// For some reason, each “client” who called
listened to Mildred speaking, enthralled.
And the girl didn’t fear
what her Mother might hear.
(This was why Mom had had it installed.)

/// It was not just their fees she would treasure.
Mildred also felt pride beyond measure,
to know each new phone call
she took here in the hall,
gave a sad, lonely man aural pleasure.

/// Schüler painted this bold pioneer
with the telephone pressed to her ear.
To the men who would call
she seemed eager to ball.
For the women she feigned being queer.

/// If a client proposed an affair;
that they meet to get freaky while bare,
she would solemnly swear
she had no time to spare.
(She spent hours just braiding her hair.)

/// In her phone business, one rule was clear:
“Tell the people what they want to hear.”
She got rich telling lies,
so its no great surprise
she went on to a pundit career.