Susan
Her name was Susan
Or is Susan
I’m not sure if she’s dead yet
Or still living
Her house
still standing
Her fence
painted silver every spring
a quiet old lady
Walked her aging dogs
Around the block
religiously
Rain or sleet
She didn’t care for the heat
She once told me
“I like the cold”
She said
“I get more housework done then”
What is it Susan?
Arranging the cases of Mountain Dew
That pile up on your patio
Or cleaning your window
The one I see you behind
Every time I walk anywhere
If you’re not outside
You’re always there
Planted
In front of the TV
Watching the world go by
Watching everyone else
Love and dance and die
The bright glow
Blues and greens
Susan hobbled sideways
And loved to say good morning
And keep eye contact while you walked by
imploring
a longer Conversation
She was lonely
And it was palpable
Did she marry?
Or has she always been single?
Widow?
I could only guess
Piece together her story
Truth is
SUSAN TERRIFIED ME
I saw myself in her
-Elderly
-Lonely
Watching a world go by
That’s left me years behind
Maybe all she needed
Was her dogs walked
And garden weeded
By any young man that would do it for her
Maybe she’s
A rich family somewhere
And wants nothing to do with them
Maybe she’s
spinster by intention
Her carpe diem
Never changes
Never sways
I avoided her
Phantom from the future
To remind me to make plans
Hoard friends
Get married as fast as you can
So you don’t end up like
Susan
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