Monday, June 10, 2013

Observations on Route 19--By Charlotte Ann Zuzak--United States

Observations on Route 19

Traveling north from Pittsburgh,
I opt for the country roads.
On the right I see Madame Arleta's shanty:
"Palms read, fortunes told."
Amazing! It's next to the Windswept Bar.
The windows are covered with huge, black rags,
impossible to get a preview peek;
Who is Madame Arleta? A gypsy with tarots and crystal ball?
Is she young or a crone? Does she serve at the bar?
Perhaps she's dressed in a Harley shirt, jeans
handed down from her mother.
Cigarette in corner of mouth, the soul of femininity.
I'm curious, but not that curious!
For all I know it's a room full of terrorists
who down boilermakers at the Windswept Bar.

Charlotte Ann Zuzak received her BA degree from Albion College and her MA from the University of Michigan in foreign languages. She taught Spanish for several years on both the high school and college levels. She has always been involved with music, namely piano and organ. Charlotte worked with voice students as an accompanist, and also as a church organist. She has been involved in writing starting in grade school when she wrote short stories and poetry. After she quit teaching she returned to her love of writing. With her husband, a retired university dean, she has traveled extensively in Europe, Russia and the United States. Charlotte and her husband have a daughter who is a medical doctor in Bethesda, Maryland.

1 comment:

  1. Great visual with this poetry - putting the reader right there inside the bar. I feel like I am on a road trip with you. Great writing, for sure!

    Rhoda Galgiani

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