Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty-year writer and the author of 11 published books of fiction and poetry and 2 stage plays. Her play ‘The Crooked Heart” concerning artist Jackson Pollock in his later years premiered on October 25, 2022, at the Irish Repertory Theatre in NYC. Tepper’s new Novel satire titled ‘Office’ has been released by Wilderness House Press. A new novel ‘Hair of a Fallen Angel’ will be released in the winter.
http://www.susantepper.com

Happiness

By Susan Isla Tepper

There was one happy day
in that five year stretch
No— there must’ve been others
she argues with herself
but can’t convince
herself beyond that one day,
first day on the job
last to leave, locking the heavy
metal door with a key,
such a responsibility—
she had to practically kneel
on the sidewalk,
to reach where the lock was placed,
a potted red geranium bought
during lunchtime
nestled in the crook of her other arm,
briefcase on the pavement.
A rough position
for a girl wearing a new wide skirt
brushing the dirty sidewalk
yet that one day sticks out
as triumphant.
When she thinks back on happiness.

Digby Beaumont is an award-winning artist. His work has been published extensively in collaboration with writers of fiction, poetry and music. He works on portraits, still lifes, landscapes and a series of drawings on the theme of what it is to be human. He works with acrylic paint, mostly on canvas board, pen and ink on paper and mixed media. Digby became a professional artist in 2021. He is also a widely published writer. http://www.DIGBYBEAUMONT.COM