Those We Kill by Susan Tepper

 

Since morning I have 

had to leave—

I keep telling you

A thirst that

won’t be quenched

the world spits feathers

on dirt floors, plush 

carpet— 

Soaking up 

what blood we eat

& those we kill

the toughest parts

grind teeth to mortar

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