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Folly of Autumn's Fog

A coloratura rises from the suede-edged shape as the gnarled grande dame comes to light.. a vision draped in sweeping evergreen and a pale cape of kidskin haze - a beguiling soprano in soft- focus fools the guileless sunrise with a diva’s deception -- for in the vaporous golden hour she can still be breathtaking the age of change is beclouded - softened in gray’s cashmere atmosphere where blending and bending of over-ripened perceptions are smoothed with a dewy smudge.. roughened boughs and litter-fall is obscured -- unless, you get up close harsh lines become artfully coy in the bosom of the pearl mist; a bedimmed dreamy blur of Impressionism masks her reality with the sleight of hand and a mockingbird’s aria Susan Ashley March 8, 2020 ~ Third Place ~ Premiere Contest: Brian Strand Contest No 1183 Sponsor: Brian Strand N/A Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 6 Sponsor: Mark Toney *coloratura: runs, trills, and other florid decorations in vocal music. A lyric soprano of high range who specializes in such music* *aria: an elaborate melody sung solo*

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Frances Schiavina

Date: 2/12/2023 1:28:00 PM

A truly beautiful painting of words on palette. Congratulations on your winner poem.

Susan Ashley
Date: 2/13/2023 8:52:00 PM

Dear Frances, thank you for your heartwarming words and kind congrats. Your gracious visit is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sara Kendrick

Date: 2/10/2023 3:44:00 AM

Congratulations on this winning work. Those sopranos can reach those notes way up there past the highest orbit. Sara

Susan Ashley
Date: 2/10/2023 4:11:00 PM

Dear Sara, those sopranos are high flyin', indeed! Thank you for your wonderful comments and heartwarming congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

P.M. Richter

Date: 2/9/2023 8:02:00 AM

Still breathtaking ~ congratulations on your win!

Susan Ashley
Date: 2/10/2023 4:07:00 PM

Dear P.M., I'm delighted but your wonderful visit. Thank you for your thrilling comment and kindest congrats. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Jcb Brul

Date: 1/8/2021 4:09:00 AM

A splendid poem with superb imagery..music and art in awesome poetry...lovely!!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/9/2021 8:31:00 AM

My dear JCB, I relish your visit and your beautiful comments. Thank you for brightening my poem's page with your shining presence. I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem. May your New Year be filled with happiness, inspiration, health and love. Warmest wishes always, my lovely friend.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 4/12/2020 11:50:00 PM

Your poetry always amazes me Susan! I was not familiar with the word coloratura, so I appreciate you listing its meaning. This is an outstanding piece! I hope you had a beautiful Easter. Blessings xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/13/2020 4:18:00 PM

Connie, your wonderful response to my poem fills me with delight. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this piece. I treasure your comments always and your shining presence here is truly appreciated, my friend. We had a quiet but lovely Easter and I hope that you enjoyed a beautiful Easter too. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 4/3/2020 8:30:00 PM

You have not lost your magic touch dear poetess, your poetry is as beautiful as ever, stay safe and healthy dear friend, xo

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/3/2020 8:55:00 PM

Thank you, Pixie, for your own special brand of magic you bring with your gracious visit. I'm elated to receive your heartwarming comments as they are so uplifting and encouraging. Your inspiring presence is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes to you, dear poetess, and stay safe and healthy as well, my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Charlie Knowlton

Date: 3/30/2020 9:52:00 AM

Masterpiece Susan…Simply a masterpiece.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/31/2020 8:49:00 AM

Dear Charlie, it is such a pleasure to see you here, I'm so glad you enjoyed my poem. Thank you for your gracious visit and for honoring my poem with your wonderful thoughts. I am humbled, my friend. Thank you for both your encouragement and for the inspiration you bestow. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 3/29/2020 12:31:00 PM

Your choice of words is always amazing, especially in use to describe things... you are an amazing poet..

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/29/2020 3:36:00 PM

Silent One, I relish your inspiring presence here. Thank you for honoring my poem with your beautiful comments that encourage me so. You and your graceful artistry have inspired me so many times to reach ever higher in my poetic expression, and for that I am truly grateful. YOU are an amazing poet and an amazing friend too! I treasure your sentiments always. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Vladislav Raven

Date: 3/26/2020 6:26:00 PM

Hi Susan, an excellent, poetic gem, does flow from your golden pen, onto the page. Your visions are alive within the mind of the reader. Your words always seem to touch the heart so gently. It is always an honour and a pleasure to read your wonderful lines, Susan. Have a wonderful evening. Hugs....Mike. XX

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/26/2020 6:38:00 PM

My wonderful friend, Mike, I am so delighted to see you and receive your endearing and heartwarming comments. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my poem and even more thrilled to hear from you. I haven't been here at PS much over the last few months due to so much busy-ness here on the home front, but I must catch up with your poetic beauties, dear poet. Thank you, Mike, have a lovely evening as well and may my warmest wishes find you well.. ~Susan

M Braimah Saaka

Date: 3/21/2020 10:27:00 PM

Words come easily to you. Thanks for making them enjoyable for us!

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:24:00 PM

Well, M Braimah, the words don't always come easy, but most of the time, they do eventually come :) I'm so pleased to know that you enjoyed my poem, dear poet. Thank you for your heartwarming words that inspire me so very much. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Rob Carmack

Date: 3/21/2020 2:30:00 PM

This is nice Susan. i love the last stanza the best.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:18:00 PM

Rob, it is such a pleasure to see you here, I'm so glad you enjoyed my poem. Thank you for your gracious visit and for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me. Both are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Ricky Muse

Date: 3/21/2020 11:04:00 AM

The line "a pale cape of kidskin haze" is one of many lines that standout in this beautiful allegory you've created that is both story and picture. I believe we now exist in a time where poetry like yours is more viable than ever. Thanks for sharing...............….peace!

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:15:00 PM

Richard, it is such a delight to see your poetic presence here gracing my poem in such a beautiful way. I treasure your esteemed comments, dear friend, as much as I treasure your wondrous and moving poetry. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and spending some time with my poem. Warmest wishes always, dear poet.. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/21/2020 7:14:00 AM

This is a gem from your gifted pen my friend..I hear the melody of your words in free verse..beautifully written and executed, Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:21:00 PM

Dear Vijay, I am honored by your wonderful response to my poem. Thank you for your heartwarming and uplifting comments. Your presence here is always truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 3/21/2020 5:37:00 AM

Wow Susan, this poem is a stunner! You are always so creative with imagery to die for! I loved this beauty my friend! Excellent in content with a chill of the fog is most mesmerizing! xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:10:00 PM

Thank you, Richard. I relish your kindness and your precious thoughts.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:07:00 PM

Connie, how is your new beautiful granddaughter? You must be enjoying her so much! Thank you for the delight of your beautiful comments. I am inspired by your response and I relish your shining presence here, my wonderful friend. I am honored to know that you enjoyed my poem, dear poetess. Warmest wishes to you and your lovely family.. ~Susan

Ricky Muse
Date: 3/21/2020 11:06:00 AM

I agree Connie the imagery in this poem is stellar.

Harry Horsman

Date: 3/15/2020 1:05:00 AM

I read the poem, then the comments, both such words of worthiness,, I really dont know where to start, I cannot compete with the poetry nor your wonderful mind..But you take me on a journey and for that, i thank you so....Oh by the way, as i read, Maria Callus, comes to mind, bet she would have love this gem of poetry also...

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/18/2020 7:52:00 PM

Ah, Maria Callus, now there was an immensely talented musical force with such a unique voice. I am humbled and honored that you would muse that she would have loved this piece, dearest Harry. I'm thrilled that my poem took you on a journey and I'm thrilled to receive your warm, rich comments. I enjoy the depths of your wondrous poetic mind as well, dear poet. Warmest wishes always, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan

Frederic Parker

Date: 3/14/2020 6:08:00 PM

Susan, you see what others cannot see and feel what most cannot feel...your ability to describe what many would find indescribable is supreme and God sent, I'll change this line from Shakespeare "What a piece of work is a poetic woman...how noble in thought"

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/17/2020 2:55:00 PM

Dearest Frederic, I am all at once, elated, honored and humbled by the depth of the heartwarming glow your precious comments bestowed upon my heart and upon my poetry. Your generous words are truly held in my deepest appreciation and I am beyond thrilled to have received them. I relish the sensitive beauty of your mind and the cherished thoughts you share with me, dear poet. Warmest wishes always, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan

Winged Warrior

Date: 3/14/2020 8:22:00 AM

Your words are music to my ears, sweet sissy Illum...you have the magic of the unicornies...a fav too...bro bro :o)

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/16/2020 10:14:00 AM

And your presence here is a sight for sore eyes, big bro bro. Yes, the Unicorns have been very good to me lately.. we'll see how long that lasts.. lol! We know how persnickety they are, sharing magic one day, then taking it away the next haha! What an aloof bunch they are! I relish your uplifting words and the honor of your fav, my fav bro bro. Lotsa love always.. sissy Sue AKA Illum <3

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/12/2020 7:20:00 PM

Colorotura bravura -- the precipice yawns beneath her trembling trills... She doesn't need that kind of thrill.... Delicate penning, Susan! Best always, Gershon

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/12/2020 9:20:00 PM

Gershon, you are a delight! I cherish that special kind of magic you bring whenever you visit my poetry page. Indeed, the grande dame doesn't need that kind of thrill.. lol!, but I'm thrilled with the wonderfulness of your heartwarming comments. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you, my dear friend, and warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/12/2020 8:56:00 AM

Thanks for your visit and warm wishes Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/12/2020 6:36:00 PM

You're welcome, dear poet and wonderful friend. And, thank you for the pleasure of your return visit.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 3/10/2020 11:41:00 PM

Brava! You have composed a magnum opus of classical poetry and impressionist beauty, Susan. This cuts to the soul for all of us who seek to mask our imperfections and signs of age so that "perceptions are smoothed with a dewy smudge." Love the contours, love it all, a fave. Encore! Hugs ~ John

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/12/2020 6:43:00 PM

Your rich and warm response to my poem leaves me with a glowing smile, John. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this piece. I treasure your comments and the honor of your fave. Your presence here is truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Laura Leiser

Date: 3/10/2020 5:51:00 PM

Such a lush, artistic casting of colors in your amazing poem, Susan! I am astounded by your natural talent...another fave! :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/12/2020 6:35:00 PM

Laura, I am humbled by your radiant response to my poem. Thank you for your inspiring comments and for the honor of your fav. Your presence here is always truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always, my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 3/10/2020 10:50:00 AM

What a beautiful metaphorical poem, Susan...and what delightful imagery! Your coloratura rises in the shape of the poem itself...fog, described in such a creative way. Your poetry never ceases to amaze me, my friend. a fav ~ Warm regards & Hugs // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/12/2020 6:33:00 PM

Your wondrous insight and precious thoughts never fail to fill me with elation, my dear friend. I'm so pleased you enjoyed this piece. I treasure your feedback, your friendship and the honor of your fav. I have learned as much from reading your beautiful comments as I have from reading your exceptional poetry. Thank you, Paul, for your inspiring kindness. Warmest wishes and hugs always.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/9/2020 6:55:00 PM

wow, not only beautiful in word but also in style and patterning. a gem, Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/10/2020 8:30:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea. Your wonderful visit and heartwarming words are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always, my friend.. ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/9/2020 8:46:00 AM

A feast for the eyes and spirit. This piece hits all the right notes. Hugs Rick.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/10/2020 8:28:00 PM

Both your wonderful visit and inspiring comments are received with joy, Richard. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts. Warmest wishes always, dear friend.. ~Susan

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 3/9/2020 7:09:00 AM

Absolutely stunning dearest, Susan! Hugs xxx

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/10/2020 8:27:00 PM

Your beautiful comments are received with delight, dear Demetrios. Both your wonderful visit and precious thoughts are appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan