Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty-year writer and the author of 11 published books of fiction and poetry and 3 stage plays. She has been nominated 19 times for the Pushcart Prize in both fiction and poetry. Her play ‘The Crooked Heart’ concerning artist Jackson Pollock premiered on October 25, 2022 at the Irish Repertory Theatre in NYC. Adapted from an earlier novel, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Another play, LADY IN A POST BOX, co-written with poet and writer Ciaran O’Driscoll is moving toward production in Ireland. Tepper’s Novel satire titled ‘Office’ has been released by Wilderness House Press. Another novel ‘Hair of a Fallen Angel’ will be out in the winter.
http://www.susantepper.com

ALONE

By Susan Isla Tepper

What color have you
sent me today?
White of your lace curtains,
a no color
according to art—
Or did you send
the soft blooming
sprouting on your love-seat
in blue-greens, peach, and
an off-white background
the color of cream cheese
too long on the table.
Or maybe you sent the color
of madness
nobody can put a name to—
not grey or
even murky purple-blue
That is not of the sky
but so shut down
my heart hurts—
all over again—
Remembering you
spending many nights
alone
in the pink chair.