Toaster by Susan Tepper

They bought me.  

A nice couple.  

Don’t overstep my limits.

My filaments came in a box.

From Malaysia. 

Eyes.  Teeth. Hair.  

Etc.

I burn waffles in the toaster.

He singes.

She says marmalade covers all sins.

I watch a spot of sun on the counter.

They talk about having a baby.

Remind me to empty the toaster tray.

They leave the house for work.

I put my finger up my nose.

It’s empty.

Susan Tepper is the author of nine published books of fiction and poetry. Her two most recent titles are CONFESS (poetry from Cervena Barva Press, 2020) and a road novel WHAT DRIVES MEN (Wilderness House Press, 2019) that was shortlisted at American Book Fest.  Other honors and awards include eighteen Pushcart Prize Nominations, a Pulitzer Nomination by Cervena Barva Press for the novel ‘What May Have Been’ (adapted as an Off-Broadway play to be produced next year), shortlisted in Zoetrope Contest for the Novel (2003), NPR Selected Shorts for ‘Deer’ from American Letters & Commentary (ed. Anna Rabinowitz), Second Place Winner in StorySouth Million Writers Award, Best of 17 Years of Vestal Review and more.  Tepper is a native New Yorker.  www.susantepper.com