Disappointment By Dan Provost

That boy everyone thought would

be an All-American—is sitting by

himself at the gorge—smoking a

number; begging for change—

wondering what the hell happened.

Dan Provost’s poetry has been published both online and in print since 1993. He is the author of 17 books/ chapbooks, including All in a Pretty Little Row, released by Roadside Press, in November 2023. Notes From the Other Side of the Bed will be published by A Thin Slice of Anxiety Press in early 2025. His work has been nominated for The Best of the Net three times and has read his poetry throughout the United States. He lives in Keene, New Hampshire with his wife Laura, and dog Bella.

THE DEAD By Susan Isla Tepper

 A forgotten room 

I recognized everyone

I recognized no one

Looking happy

They looked my way

Turning their heads away

I saw my mother

Turn her head away

In the torpid silence

A friend in polio irons

From childhood days.

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty year writer in all genres. Her most recent book, a Novel titled Hair Of A Fallen Angel, came out in the fall from Spuyten Duyvil Books, NYC. Tepper has also written 7 stage plays. Her third play titled EVA & ADAMO will present at The Tank, NYC, early fall. www.susantepper.com