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Unsure the Shore

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Published in: PS: It's Still Poetry - An Anthology of Contemporary Poetry from Around the World – January 1, 2022

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Grim fog, I praise the shelter of your drear, the sundown ghost morose not grandiose, I walk alone - but, no -- with my despair; a bittern bids a bitter adiós. The breakers so in agony they gnash and gnaw the strand with thrash of foamy green, the tempest witch brings ironfisted lash alas, the eye-of-storm epiphany unseen. Free, free! The tern who flies in Gemini above beloved peak and shore and wave, sun-painted wings, away you went -- so spry, so fierce! Bluebird pierced and buried in your grave, ..and the stars understand; a fateful fall into the sea -- Damn the deep! It’s jostle docile.. my scream to meet the scree! Susan Ashley June 29, 2021 ~ Fourth Place ~ Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mille 11 Sponsor: Mark Toney ~ First Place ~ Premiere Contest: Contemporary Sonnet Sponsor: Charlotte Puddifoot *bittern: any of several tawny brown herons *scree: an accumulation of weathered rock fragments at the foot of a cliff *a Modern / Contemporary Sonnet is a poem of 14 lines addressing any theme of the poet's choosing. It does not need to adhere to any set rhyme scheme, syllable count or meter, nor does it need to include a volta. The only true requirement of a modern sonnet is that it consists of 14 lines*

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The Situation

Date: 8/31/2023 11:29:00 AM

But I'm learning from You as well! The words that I know well i can use in my work So for you I do have admiration. But I'd much rather Love you than use you.

Susan Ashley
Date: 9/7/2023 10:08:00 AM

Dear TS, indeed, we continue to learn from each other and from poetry masters of yore. Inspiration is contagious. Thank you for your gracious visit and comments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 8/21/2022 3:28:00 AM

Dearest Susan, am so sorry for always being the last one to come here to congratulate you on your amazing win in the contest... I have read this gem before, today again felt so glad to re- read this... You did this contemporary Sonnet form exceptionally well with your talented ink... I don't remember if I had faved this before... Now, adding this to my favs dear sweet inspiring poetess... Also letting you know am so humbled and honored and always in gratitude for your sincere kind words of encouragement through your comments to my poems and others', as always... Hugs... ~ Ani

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/23/2022 10:45:00 AM

Dearest Ani, whenever you appear on my page I am filled with gratitude and elation! Your presence brightens my page with the golden glow of your heart and the valued insight of your precious thoughts. Thank you for the delight of your return visit and for your beautiful comments. It is an honor to receive your fav and to share in poetic friendship with you. You are a gifted poetess, my sweet friend, and your poems are cherished Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 8/16/2022 10:45:00 PM

My gifted and inspirational PS-PS, it gives me great joy to see your talents continue to shine in this longstanding marathon, just as it thrills my soul to re-read this pearl of poetic gravitas. I have learned from your example the power of word pairs (many which I mentioned last time) that drive home a message with crafted care. Delighted as always by your imagery, artistry, and lexical acumen. Brava, dear sister! Your admiring PoBro

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/18/2022 5:42:00 PM

Dear PoBro, I relish your visit! I'm so happy that Mark's Poetry Marathon keeps our poetic paths crossing these days.. So I celebrate your gracious visit and raise a glass to you that spills the brim with appreciation for your inspiring comments. They are received with gratitude, as are your heartwarming congrats. Thank you for being you, you are appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~your PS-PS

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/14/2022 1:36:00 PM

Wonderful writing. Love it and so glad it won. God bless you sweet friend. Congrats. Love, Gina

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/14/2022 8:20:00 PM

Dear Gina, your gracious visit is a joy to receive! Thank you for your beautiful response and heartwarming congrats. Both are truly treasured, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/14/2022 11:27:00 AM

Big Congrats, Susan. You sure do know how to write a contemporary sonnet. I bet you could win one of those contemporary contests that are out there (for cash) using this one!

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/14/2022 8:16:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea! Your wonderful response is so uplifting and is certainly received with my truest appreciation. I’ll have to look into one of those $ poetry contests ;) But I’m not sure this sonnet would qualify since it’s already been published here. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Mark Toney

Date: 8/12/2022 12:11:00 PM

Susan, you brilliantly use the unsure shore as a metaphor for what the pitfalls of life can lead us to. Your last line is chilling. Amazing, too, is your ability in many of your poems to create multiple rhymes in single lines a.k.a. internal rhymes without it sounding affectatious: "the sundown ghost morose not grandiose ..." Congratulations on your win on Mile 11 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 12 has already started!

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/14/2022 10:25:00 AM

Dear Mark, your insight into my poem is a thrill to receive. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and for sharing in the emotions of this poem. The "sundown ghost" line is one of my favorite lines too, as well as the last line. I'm so glad to know they had an impact on you. I'm honored by my poem's placement on your list and your heartwarming congrats are received with gratitude. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman

Date: 8/12/2022 11:46:00 AM

Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, this poem is as powerful in elegant images - "sundown ghost" - and remarkable use of words - gnaw the stand" - as waves pounding the shore in a storm re-taking bits of land back into the thrashing sea! Every word is so carefully chosen to enhance the feeling of unrest and chaos in the soul. Truly, you are a master poet dear poetry sis! Sending you blessings on warm trade winds to sooth your stormy seas.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/14/2022 10:19:00 AM

Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, your return visit fills me with gratitude for your uplifting friendship. It is such a joy to share in poetic fellowship with you, Sam. Your precious presence could smooth the choppiest seas and soothe the tempest witch into a fairy princess! Thank you, sweet poetry sister, you inspire me and your golden thoughts are treasured in the chambers of my heart. Warmest wishes sent on happy bluebird wings.. ~Susan

Greg Gaul

Date: 8/9/2022 11:47:00 AM

I was washed up on the unsure shore certain that I had read the words of a real poet.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/10/2022 8:02:00 PM

Dear Greg, it’s so wonderful to see you! I am both humbled and honored by your beautiful comments. I so admire your intellect and amazing poetry, dear poet. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/10/2021 11:04:00 AM

Susan dear Poetry sister, this is poetic gem at its very best - there was never a question of this being a winner, as soon as your pen began to flow on the paper, you had already won! Kudos Susan my friend. Hugs and blessings,

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/10/2021 6:21:00 PM

Jennifer, my dear poetry sister, I cherish the generosity of your shining spirit and the beauty of your wonderful words, I am humbled by both and so very deeply touched. Your lovely presence is precious to me, my dear friend, thank you <3 Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit

Date: 8/26/2021 7:03:00 AM

Back again to honor your trophy win, Susan. You are one of a kind --gracing pages of Poetry Soup. Brilliant, as always.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/26/2021 5:50:00 PM

Dear Vijay, I am as thrilled by your return visit as I am grateful for the honor of your heartwarming comments. Thank you, my friend, you inspire me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Hilo Poet

Date: 8/25/2021 11:52:00 PM

Wondrous phrasing, Susan, apparently, heaven was working overtime. Deserving efforts truly earned with my compliments. Honored to Fave your masterpiece my friend, Aloha!

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/26/2021 6:59:00 AM

Dear William, you truly possess a poet's heart. I am touched by your beautiful comments and honored by your fave. Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me, indeed, they are treasured. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Sean Kibble

Date: 8/25/2021 10:43:00 PM

Ah so this is how a contemporary sonnet is written! Wonderful write, interesting vocabulary but the message behind the story is superb. Congratulations on a well deserved win. Thanks for your comments on my entry. Take care and keep on sharing these beauties.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/26/2021 6:51:00 AM

Dear Sean, your gracious comments and kind congrats are wonderful to receive. I'm pleased to know you enjoyed and found value in my poem. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, they are held in my truest appreciation, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/25/2021 10:15:00 PM

Amazing sonnet, Susan, showcasing your brilliant penmanship, congratulations:)

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/26/2021 6:44:00 AM

Dear Jo, your return visit and heartwarming congrats are a thrill to receive. Thank you, my friend, for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me, they are cherished. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/25/2021 10:51:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. What a creative story/write. You are a wonderful writer. Have a blessed day with this win............

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/25/2021 5:20:00 PM

Dear Paula, your lovely presence and beautiful comments brighten my day. Thank you for your gracious visit and heartwarming congrats, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sotto Poet

Date: 8/25/2021 5:39:00 AM

Susan, Congratulations on your well-deserved win. You continue to amaze with your vast lexicon. Your poem has great merit, and it possesses a compelling range of strengths and utilizes unique wording; I found your underlying rhyme and cadence to be quite impressive. God bless you, my friend.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/25/2021 9:09:00 AM

Dear Lasaad, it is indeed a wonderful honor to receive your insightful comments and heartwarming congrats. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts with me, my friend, I hold your words in my deepest appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/25/2021 5:31:00 AM

So awesome. you never fail to amaze. God bless you and Congrats on your top win. Love, Gina

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/25/2021 9:05:00 AM

Dearest Regina, your shining presence brightens my day and my poem’s page. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts with me and for your heartfelt congrats. Your golden friendship is ever treasured, sweet poetess. Warmest wishes and love to you.. ~Susan

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 8/25/2021 5:09:00 AM

a wonderful winner! it has depth and great use of language; i enjoyed the internal rhyme and alliteration..this was one of the most difficult contests i've ever judged, i had many superb entries..congrats on your 1st place win!

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/25/2021 9:02:00 AM

Dear Charlotte, thank you for my poem’s placement in your contest. It is indeed a thrill and an honor for me to share the podium with the talented poets/poetesses listed. Your lovely comments and heartwarming congrats are held in my deepest appreciation. I truly enjoyed the challenge of your contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Christuraj Alex

Date: 8/25/2021 5:07:00 AM

It's a beautiful sonnet with grand imagery. Congratulations on your win!

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/25/2021 8:35:00 AM

Dear Christuraj, thank you for your beautiful comments and heartwarming congrats. Both are truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ann Peck

Date: 7/29/2021 9:25:00 AM

So beautiful, so sad. Lovely imagery.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/4/2021 10:10:00 AM

Dear Ann, it is wonderful to receive your beautiful comments. Thank you for your gracious visit, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit

Date: 7/25/2021 5:59:00 AM

Brilliant vocabulary Susan, as always. Your poem deserves all the accolades it has received. BIG congrats on your wins and being at the TOP of best poems.

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/4/2021 10:15:00 AM

Dear Vijay, it is indeed a wonderful honor for me to receive your beautiful comments and heartwarming congrats. Your friendship and poetic artistry is truly appreciated. Indeed, you are one of the great poets gracing the pages of PS. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 7/25/2021 1:50:00 AM

Congratulations Susan! I am so glad your poem has been so honored! I commented early on, but just had to stop by again with a congrats...it is so worthy of it's placement! Wonderful!

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/4/2021 10:18:00 AM

Dear BJ, it is as wonderful to receive your return visit as it is to be embraced by your warm friendship. Thank you, my sweet friend, for your beautiful comments and heartwarming congrats. Both are held in my deepest appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 7/22/2021 5:19:00 PM

Wanted to drop by with congrats on being the #1 New Poem, am thrilled for you!

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/25/2021 8:52:00 AM

Dearest Michelle, I am as thrilled by your return visit as I am grateful for your warm, wonderful friendship. Thank you for your kind congrats, my sweet friend and talented poetess, you inspire me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 7/22/2021 1:59:00 PM

Beautiful sonnet Susan, filled with lovely rhyme and flow making it a gem of a piece. Blessings, Gordon

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/25/2021 8:47:00 AM

Dear Gordon, thank you for your wonderful visit and for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Your beautiful comments are held in my deepest appreciation. I'm so pleased to know that you enjoyed this piece. Warmest wishes, my kind friend.. ~Susan

Jcb Brul

Date: 7/22/2021 1:07:00 AM

Back to revisit this gem...As always...uniquely Susan's.

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/25/2021 8:48:00 AM

Dearest JCB, I am as thrilled by your return visit as I am grateful for your wonderful friendship. Thank you, my sweet friend, you inspire me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 7/21/2021 3:34:00 PM

Love the brilliant sonnet with excellent imageries from your golden pen, Susan. I am always mesmerized with your choice of words - stunning! Love and best wishes ~ Mala

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/25/2021 8:50:00 AM

Dearest Mala, my inspiring friend, I am thrilled to receive your beautiful comments. Your response is so very uplifting. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this piece with me and for sharing your precious thoughts, I am deeply touched, sweet poetess. Warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan