Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty-year writer and the author of 12 published books of fiction and poetry and 5 stage plays. Her new Novel titled ‘HAIR OF A FALLEN ANGEL’ was released by Spuyten Duyvil Press, NYC, in November. She has been nominated 21 times for the Pushcart Prize in both fiction and poetry. Her play ‘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. Tepper’s Novel Satire titled ‘Office’ has been released as a Second Edition by Wilderness House Press. Susan Isla is a Brand Ambassador for The Galway Review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2HVIc4NrqY
www.susantepper.com

Don’t Push Me Over

By Susan Isla Tepper

Rapacious
at the sight of him
your belly beating in
half measures
 
warning signals 
flash red through a wet sky—
trigger that old dependency
 
It only took one sweet line:
I remember this beautiful face
 
sweeter than the peaches
during breakfast
sun arching high over
the bluest water
room sliders opened
letting in a warm breeze
 
Whoever dreamt
this chance meeting
in another city
belonging to neither—
But so it is—
 
And the thrust
as he backs you into a phone box
outside the classic building,
its prominence looming
 
the thrust, as you know,
both of you
is ephemeral

Digby Beaumont is a self-taught artist. His artwork has been published extensively in collaboration with writers of fiction, poetry and music. His subjects include portraits, figures, urban scenes and still lifes. He aims to convey a subject’s character, as well as a good likeness. His pictures sometimes suggest elements of a story. He uses techniques of acrylic painting, pen and ink drawing, screen printing and mixed media.  Digby is also a widely-published writer. His stories and poetry have appeared in more than 100 magazines and anthologies, including The Best Small Fictions. Previously, as a textbook author, he had numerous publications, including international best sellers.