Challenging Empathy

Even those irritated
by the demand of a ringing
telephone would be arrested
by the tremulous quality
of that voice, and moderate
the gruffness of response.
A vision leaps to mind
of an uncertain young woman
enrolled in the tradition
of a first job. Not perhaps
as menial as a dishwasher
or waiter, but as one
prepared to fulfill the
obligations of that proverbial
minimum-wage position.
She seemed hardly prepared, 
voice hesitant and appealing,
faint as her timid expectations
she awkwardly reads
the questions the poll is
concerned with, anxiously
awaits response, gaining
confidence measurably as
the interminably damned poll
goes on...and on...and on.