The Chase

Wan went running, running,

Terror at wan’s wheels–

Fragmented, wonderful terror

Promising possibilities.

Before wan’s eyes are visions

Of freedom from wan pains:

The acts of dogs and locusts,

The acts of God.

Pressure powers wan.

Striking out, breaking out,

Burning out,

Random complexity–the speed of wan.

Watch your dust, wan.

Take your pleasure

Alive and kicking.

“The Chase” is from 1993 when I was unsettled.  I wrote this in a kitchen, on break from making pizzas for connoisseurs.  The poem came to me in pictures, and I hope you see them, too.  I was taught to see in pictures by someone who conceptualized mathematics for me in this way.  Thank you.

“Wan” is my nomination for the genderless pronoun.  I think I will find a sympathetic ear here for the concept of the genderless pronoun.  But, if you wish, you can substitute “she” or “he” and not lose anything in the poem–if there’s anything to lose.