Susan Tepper

The Plan

is a dream

set

in motion by chaos

fallen angels

come to shake

things up

no discernable reason

you can fathom

reliance

on whatever

say the weather

shot in the back

handcuffed

to a truck mirror

opportunity

to see for yourself

in harshest light

percussion noises

& street traffic

jamming

suffering dogs howl

their persistent hunger

flesh is flesh

is other beasts

huddled around

smoking barrels watching

cops everywhere

watching

don’t lift a hand

who dies or what

their coffee & donut

on the hour while

-2-

prostitutes dimpling

for any

ready cash

smile and jump

fast

into cars.

From the doorway

ice melts down

in your hair.

Susan Tepper is the author of seven published books of fiction and poetry. Her forthcoming book titled WHAT DRIVES MEN is a road novel full of zany characters and situations, soon to be published by Wilderness House Press. Tepper has received many honors for her writing which include 18 Pushcart Prize Nominations, 7th place on the Zoetrope Novel Contest shortlist, and a Nomination for a Pulitzer Prize for the novel.  She lives in the NY area with her husband and her dog, Otis. www.susantepper.com