Susan’s Writing
Susan is the author of
“One Clear Voice: A Journey In Poetry”
Scroll down for an excerpt.
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The Prayer At The Coffee Shop
Dear God
I welcome the opportunity
to understand more fully
who I am, and
I promise to work
to embrace the possibility
of who I might yet
become.
I accept your challenges
your guidance and
your lessons. I ask
only for the courage
to trust in You
and the strength
to receive your gifts
with dignity
and love.
Amen.
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Breakfast
I knew I had made a pact with you
that day at the coffee shop
when I sat there eating my toasted bagel
no butter just jelly
strawberry if you have it, please,
and I vowed to thank you
no matter what. With dignity
and love, I promised, eyes open wide
in graceful surrender to our plan.
I say our plan, because even with you
I would be sure not to, once again,
lose myself completely in
the arms of a man.
I have decided that you are male
because for some reason
it’s what I need right now.
And while I prefer to let
the earth mother me from below
there is something delightfully
sensual, satisfying—some ‘s’ word
about you coming from above
looking down in knowing affection;
a look that’s sure enough
to quiet my thoughts, yet
secret enough to shake me up.
Over coffee I promised to trust you
and you promised the truth.
I said I would be brave and
you swore that I would know.
We kissed softly on a deliberate Amen
and then I paid the check,
the first of my dues, I suppose,
with a generous tip too,
a full belly, a steadied pen,
a brand new pair of walking shoes,
and the green light for
go.
======================================
That Moment On The Train
I thought for sure
that everyone knew
what was happening
as I shivered a little
and my eyes closed tight
my face got flushed
my toes clenched
and my breath ran deep
and all I had done
was think of you.
===================================
September 21, 1998
When I turned my face toward hers
I heaved in silent horror, her
stillness grabbing me like a vicious claw
as a heart wrenching glass breaking
NO boomed in my head—a
don’t you dare take her now
before I have the chance
to figure out what de hell to say.
I placed my right hand on her left knee
and she stirred. And with an exhale
powerful enough to knock her over
I reached down and gave my grandmother a hug.
==============================================
Here
There are spurts of inspiration,
moments when I think I know.
But when the dark cloud comes
I rain down on myself in
such impatient sorrow
it is distressing for sure.
And yet in all this angst
there is that one pure thought:
my own fire
a topaz gold tiger’s eye
which comes into slightly clearer view.
Are you getting closer, you
light at the end of the tunnel?
Will you be waiting on your
shiny white horse with a dozen roses?
Or, will you simply hold up a mirror and say:
It was here all along.
I’ve been here all along.