Carolyn Gan


Carolyn Gan

to stay


okay I’m not going to wait
until my tongue turns grey
or die before I’ve said

how sad to be twenty-two
and cradling matches and a pen

but then if nothing ever makes
a woman manic and ashamed
who said I can mistake

of course I lick my finger
to thumb a page my thoughts

all lie along concrete slabs
worrying bashful but awake
like godless slugs stuck on the sand

alright slowly undulating
but to move is still to stay

return to SHAMPOO 19