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Susan Tepper

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By

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

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