Ebony ‘cell phone’, with beech buttons and copper hinges made in 2015 by Carl Weissinger, master woodworker, pastellist and friend.

 

I can use a button to order Christmas crackers; or, alternatively, to detonate a Molotov cocktail; as the mood takes me. 

 

I can also use one of its buttons to hurl lightening: so useful on a dangerous Philly street at night.

 

I can order up dollars; or a prayer or a meal.  I can send billets doux if I want to.  Or an ordinary letter.

 

Best of all it does not ring, chirp or buzz or vibrate. 

It is blissfully  silent as a machine should be.  It’s only sound is one of clapping when I close it.  For its creator.