SAN FRANCISCO POETS Susan Birkeland Poetry January 18, 1961 ~ Nov. 18 2006)

Poetry - Flashlights of Innocence - unmarried - On Being from Hibbing - Words - Poem For Allen Cohen - Jesus Poem - Six - Since it Happened Poems for Susan ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Poems for Susan - Susan Arcane - Pinks for Susie -Triptych for Susan - Susie - Dancing with Balloons in the Smoke - Susan Birkeland - Thanksgiving 2006 - Three for Susan - Saint Susie of Side Lake ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Back to Susan Birkeland poet Back to San Francisco Art Poetry Calendar www.sfheart.com

Jesus Poem If I'd been trapped in one of those towers, and I had a cell phone, I'd have called my sister and brother and told them I'd loved my life, loved them, always would, and to thank everyone for being so good to me and to take no avenging actions, nor support the avenging actions of others, but to let me die with the dignity of my faith. Then I'd step out into the air, something opening beneath me, the last fall of my life. It's hard to say what I'd be feeling, surprise, mystification, terror, glory, but I'm sure I wouldn't be angry. In the last moments there's nothing to fix, no protest against the speed of the fall. I imagine I 'd be filled with something beyond terror, a feeling which is (from where we stand) intolerably bright. ©Susan Birkeland This poem is one of two poems Susan wrote that were chosen to be published in "an Eye For An Eye Makes The Whole World Blind" (Poets on 9/11) edited by Allen Cohen and Clive Matson(2002). The book featured poems by over 100 poets from all over America, including the former Poet Laureate of the United States. This important book creates an alternative response to the din of collective madness that has characterized our national dialogue since 9/11/2001...from the introduction by Allen Cohen