Giving you more characters
  In an effort to get people to look 
  into each other’s eyes more, 
  and also to appease the mutes, 
  the government has decided 
  to allot each person exactly one hundred   
  and sixty-seven words, per day. 
  
  When the phone rings, I put it to my ear   
  without saying hello. In the restaurant   
  I point at chicken noodle soup. 
  I am adjusting well to the new way. 

  Late at night, I call my long distance lover,   
  proudly say I only used fifty-nine today.   
  I saved the rest for you. 

  When she doesn’t respond, 
  I know she’s used up all her words,   
  so I slowly whisper I love you 
  thirty-two and a third times. 
  After that, we just sit on the line   
  and listen to each other breathe.
  
  The Quiet World by Jeffrey McDaniel