Long Distance Choir

Long distance choir
Sing it down the line

Auntie answers with the kettle on
Same small radio behind her chair
I hold my phone toward the open door
She stops and says, "I know that one"
She sings a line; I wait my turn
Then sing it back into the cold
A little kitchen fills my hand
Her laugh comes through before the song

One voice there and one voice here
Leave her a space, then bring it near

Long distance choir, sing it down the line
Your kitchen, our doorway, an ocean in between
I leave you room, you leave me mine
Long distance choir, sing it one more time

You sing, we answer
Home comes through

My friend leans close: "Who's singing that?"
I say, "My auntie." He says, "Let me try"
Four of us tucked beside the door
One low note and a shaky high
She says, "You there, the quiet one"
He smiles and finally finds his sound
She lifts her cup to our small choir
We lift our hands and send it round

Long distance choir, sing it down the line
Your kitchen, our doorway, an ocean in between
I leave you room, you leave me mine
Long distance choir, sing it one more time

I say, "It's getting cold out here"
She says, "Then take that song inside"
"Eat something. Call your mother"
We laugh and let her say goodbye

Long distance choir, singing after the line
Your kitchen in my chest as I step back inside
The call is over; the chorus isn't
Long distance choir, your part is still in mine

You sing, we answer
Home comes through