This Morning by Susan Isla Tepper

I wrapped you in a sheet

falling through the clouds

impenetrable likeness—

This morning two 

clematis colored purple 

mourning hung in tandem 

off a vine that seemed stripped:

where did the flowers

from past years’ growths 

when the bounty was lush

disappear to—

and still there was hope

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres.  Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life.

Birds To Finish by Susan Isla Tepper

When I lifted you 

out of wide clouded

smokey black despair

Thought I was hoisting

a dead man

Your finger moved

and I screamed 

stupidly 

Could bring the enemy

hordes tracking us 

You nearly gone and

my voice rippling

hoarse while they tear up 

my body

Stringing it in a tree 

for birds to finish

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres.  Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life.

Congratulations! by Kevin M. Hibshman

You got what you wanted.
You own a small part of this cheap town.
It seemed to happen very quickly as soon as you shed the black leather for
the guise of respectability.
Don't think you ever had me fooled.
I knew exactly who you are and what you would become the minute
we parted ways.
Congratulations!
I wish you well.
Just remember that you are not the first person to flourish in society
after disowning me.

Kevin M. Hibshman has had poems published in many journals and magazines world wide.

 In addition, he has edited his poetry zine, Fearless, since 1990 and is the author of sixteen chapbooks including Love Sex Death Dreams (Green Bean Press, 2000) and Incessant Shining (Alternating Current, 2011).

His latest books include The Mirror Masks Nothing and Just Another Small Town Story from Whiskey City Press are currently available on Amazon. 

Taken from the book,

 The Mirror Masks Nothing from Whiskey City Press.

https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Masks-Nothing-Patrick- Robbins/dp/B0B1DXS2FL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QCVSYC2BSJAS&keywords=Kevin+M.+Hibshman&qid=1654281475&s=books&sprefix=kevin+m.+hibshman%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-1

Garden by Susan Isla Tepper

My sadness belongs to no one

to choke on and die

All mine— and I follow rules

dig twice as deep as the root ball

swallow you in segments

while I sleep

hating and adoring.

Rain clouds crash the bleak night.

Passion is only a construct

and time becomes apparent 

upon awakening— while you labor

sucking out of a dead earth.

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres.  Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life.

In Shadow by Susan Isla Tepper

Across a frozen pond your figure

in shadow, black

and featureless

A stand of fir as backdrop 

for protection 

though you were unaware

And, so still— as if  

you’d dropped down 

from masses of clouds 

to assess

or perhaps see me one last time.

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres.  Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life.

I Grew Up Here By Jake St. John

I grew up here 

look 

over that 

stonewall 

covered in moss 

and through the woods 

down the hill 

and across the creek 

we found the cemetery 

basking on the hill

in the early

summer sun

of  innocence

and there

through the barbed wire 

between those trees

and a rotted wagon wheel

is the path 

that leads down 

to the sandbank 

where a hobo

had set up camp

for a spell

and we weren't 

allowed 

to play there 

anymore

but we still did

and over there

under that small 

pine tree 

is where 

three of my dogs 

are buried 

and one cat 

and maybe 

me 

someday.

   

       

Jake St. John is a one time co-winner of the April 20th, 2022 Hartford Yard Goats "Stud of the Game".

Citizens of the World by Susan Isla Tepper

I am the girl who flies on a bird

the one who had to get away

Did you spot us gliding 

through clouds and blue

before the bombs went off

Citizens of the world, we two

Fly higher than 

what they can destroy 

Elusive as pollen—

No longer land-bound

perhaps all a myth

perhaps after all. 

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres.  Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life