John Gallo is a New York City writer/musician whose poetry and short stories appeared in numerous small press journals throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. He is the author of 4 books of poetry, “Standing On Lorimer Street Awaiting Crucifixion (Alpha Beat Press 1996), “The Terror Of Your Cunt Is The Beauty Of Your Face” (Black Spring Press 1999), “Street Gospel Mystical Intellectual Survival Codes” (Budget Press 2000) and “Scrape That Violin More Darkly Then Hover Like Smoke In The Air” (Black Spring Press 2001). He is currently working on completing his first novel. In addition to writing, he also plays bass in the New York City band Bitterweed, who had released their debut CD “On The High Wire” on Buzz Factory Records in 2001.

“Le Beaupre”

There's a little cafe'
along Avenue de Suffren
where I sat with you
one cold, grey morning
sharing sandwiches
coffee and Indian tonic.
So beautiful sitting there,
Paris as a backdrop
a lot of years between us,
everything that's good in life
was there that cold, grey morning.
Your face, your smile, you
had replaced the sun that seemed
to have disappeared

©2002 John Gallo

“One Late Night”

Stretched out like a shadow,
seen only by the light
of a lantern peering
through venetian blinds.
A beautiful, immobile, dark thing
there to create the effect
of a statue carved out
of turbulent silence.

©2002 John Gallo

“All The World's A Stage”

In this theater
it is all or nothing.
There are no extras
only willing participants
who want to throw stones
from the back of the amphitheater.

©2003 John Gallo

“Myths In The Cellar”

I have put my myths in the cellar.
Mission complete.
You will begin asking those inane questions,
I'm sure.
That is why this writing has become a ballet
movements in which a story is told.
Words appear but it's no use trying to solder
this stuff to the present.
I am following the bodhisattva’s way.
Why, I cannot tell.
The great quest is how to get to the organic root
of the problem.

©2003 John Gallo