Susan Tepper is the author of nine published books of fiction and poetry. Her tenth book, titled 9X9, will be released shortly by Cervena Barva Press.

Tepper is in the production phase of an Off-Broadway play that concerns artist Jackson Pollock in his later years. http://www.susantepper.com

Penance

Each day I pledge
to wash my skin
and my hair.
Daily I concoct
reasons not to.
I avoid stepping
into the cleansing:
Bathroom insufficiently
heated despite
functional iron radiator
rusting against the wall,
Tiles two-thirds up
radiate frozen air
blowing in
from the artic cycle,
No soap will ever be
strong enough to
slough off
dead skin cells
no longer shedding
naturally.
Having given up
when the decade changed.
Becoming an old fish
flapping on the dock
the water so damn close.

Cross in shadows – by Glenn Bowie

Glenn Bowie is a published poet, lyricist, and photographer from the Boston area. He also owns and operates an elevator company that supplies custom-built elevators for clients from New England to Hollywood. Author of two poetry and photograph collections (Under the Weight of Whispers and Into the Thorns and Honey) on Big Table Publishing, he donates all profits from his books to various charities for the homeless and local animal shelters.