ALLEGORY Poem: Bet Your Skin, by Sugata Biswas

Leak the gas all night.
Bolt the windows tight.
Strike a match first thing in the morning.
Leave the man in the closet.
Plug the running faucet.
Did the children get the warning?

What people used to sell
people buy no more.
The chorus went home,
Father, get the door.
Let’s go check the trashcan.
Man to burning man
—Do you know the girl is missing?
Say, where’s your pickup van?

Bet the news don’t say
what happened yesterday,
the wedding band is playing jazz on the roof.
Everybody wishes everybody else
is gonna carry my burden of proof.

Bet your skin, bet your ribs;
go ahead and bet all the rest,
roll the dice on her hips—
better cash in the chips,
lick your lips and pray for the best.
2

Author: poetryfest

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three Options: 1) To post. 2) To have performed by an actor 3) To be made into a film. View all posts by poetryfest