Locking Up by Susan Isla Tepper

You count the times you felt happy. 

Once after a rain

while walking

the tree-lined path 

through Rittenhouse Square.

Undeniably happy.  Though you 

couldn’t pin-point the cause.  

Another time 

in that same city, the first day 

of your new job

when you were last to go home.

Almost kneeling on the pavement 

to lock that round brass cylinder

on the bottom of the glass door.

A potted geranium

bought at lunch hour

resting in the crook of 

one arm.  Briefcase

on the ground.

Locking up.

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres.  Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life.