Photography © Glenn Bowie

 

This cold morning

a cat sat contented
the rounded furry hump
& the feet tucked under
perhaps contemplative

Choosing its spot
under massive trees
empty of leaves
The blanketed snow
thinly spread
no flicker of sun

A certain cat contentment
which led to the question:
If I learned
to tuck my feet
sitting outside in all weather
would I find the contentment
so desperately craved

 

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 20 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. Tepper’s Novel satire titled Office has been released by Wilderness House Press. A new novel, Hair of a Fallen Angel, will be out in the winter. Susan is a Brand Ambassador for The Galway Review.

Glenn Bowie is a published poet, lyricist, musician 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. The author of two poetry and photograph collections (Under the Weight of Whispers and Into the Thorns and Honey) from Big Table Publishing, he donates all profits from his books to various charities for the homeless and local animal shelters.