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