Symptom of Being On Call

Three seventeen a.m.
I am a human being.
I have needs. Like sleep.

I hear it in the dark again
That buzzing on the dresser, my only friend
The answering service, calm and sweet
"She says it's urgent." Oh, my aching feet

"My eye feels kinda weird," she said
"Like, describe weird?" "Just weird. Like, eye weird."
"Is it red?" "No." "Is it painful?" "No."
"Can you see?" "Yes." "Then why did you call?" "Just wanted you to know."

I'm only human, I'm on call
I swore an oath to answer all
I'm broken down to the bone
I'm talking eyeballs on the phone
I'm only human, hear me fall
It's the symptom of being on call

Four a.m., "Can I use Visine
On my dog?" Ma'am, that's a vet machine
Five a.m., "When's my appointment, hon?"
The office opens in three hours. I am not someone.

I'm only human, I'm on call
I swore an oath to answer all
I'm broken down to the bone
I'm talking eyeballs on the phone
I'm only human, hear me fall
It's the symptom of being on call

Sometimes I look into the mirror
My own eyes are red and swollen
Should I call someone?
Who do I call?
I call myself. I'm on call.
I tell myself to use warm compresses
And follow up in the morning!

I'm only human, I'm on call
I'm talking eyeballs on the phone
I'm only human, hear me fall
It's the symptom of being on call

Seven a.m. Shift over.
Phone rings.
"Hi, it's me again. It's still weird."