Susan Gangel


5 Reasons to Stay
(An excerpt from Particle Theory, a work in progress)


    1.  Not yet 

A silent sweep of the broom
On wet pavement
Tells the whole story

A lass who leaves no one cold
Never seen again
Yet down by the shore
The spices sing of her

A passing gambler
Throws a charm her way
Dunned fly neighbor
Sets up for the faire


    2.  Falsetto

If she should appear before morning
Chalk it up to a dart game
Serve her something
If she asks


    3.  Redemption

Begone the tyrant in all of us
As vigilant as sand

Does she really think that big hat
Will hide her from the sun?

Your boots are full of mess
Let me take them off anyway


    4.  Clock

Aghast it’s over two

The entrance blocked with spikes

Just a plate of greens please

Before I jump into the fray

Weighted ballast of the leering deal

Quizzing me alla time


    5.  Under our umbrella

All the richest children
Have gone off to sea
All the folks we travelled with
Have ice cream on their cheeks
And no one knows our secrets yet
As common as they are
Where’s my pinafore
Did you leave it on the rock?
Not again fair soldier
I won’t be blamed this time

Susan Gangel is a San Francisco poet and painter who often collaborates with fellow travelers on vispo, performance art, and gallery events. Particle Theory is her ongoing commentary on the new world order.

 
 

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