Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty-year writer and the author of 11 published books of fiction and poetry and 5 stage plays. She has been nominated 21 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. Her third play, 28 MARVIN AVENUE is making the rounds. Her satirical Novel OFFICE was re-printed as a Second Edition. A new Novel will be out in the winter. Susan is a Brand Ambassador for The Galway Review.
http://www.susantepper.com

Sawdust

My plate holds no envy
dripping over its curved edge
no blood no gravy from
another’s plate—
A deep brown stoneware
I have possessed for centuries.
My people from
this same coarse mix.
He claimed it made
things unappetizing.
But I saw envy’s dry block,
the sawdust,
no moisture no cravings,
all flavour
gone out of the mix.
A heart disfigured—
remains of the luscious.

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.