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

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Lick Clean 

Before we enter
the orders are
we must lick clean
the doorstep of
our house.
It is not our house
it is their house
though we pay.
It is well kept.
Pots of red flowers
we’ve arranged
in precise random order
are points of diversion.
How heavenly
their scent
hiding our strong will
our whiffs of discontent.