Dropping Out (as recounted on NPR)

1. Gauguin quit playing stockbroker,

sailed to Tahiti
painted thick Polynesian women
with seven toes.
Sent dozens of canvases back to Paris,
sold only four.
Died alone, island-bound, for his fantasies.

2. Wish I could say I would wish to rescue Tripoli, feed Darfur.

I want to do Zumba
stretch to Salsa
wearing a ballet leotard
my high arched feet
on cool concrete.