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Notes About The Poem

June 28, 2025

Contest: After Poem Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Jaymee Thomas

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I Wandered Weightless as a Feather

after “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (also sometimes called “Daffodils”) by William Wordsworth

I wandered weightless as a feather, 
a muted plume from mourning dove. 
A tuft afloat in breezy weather 
connected now to skies above;
as long as winds will carry me 
from over fields and out to sea. 

My glad esprit more free than birds, 
detached from mortal needs I fly, 
where spirits long to share their words 
among the songs in clouds, I sigh... 
for Earth was never this composed,
this high I travel unopposed. 

Oh, cumulus! A meadow white,
I feel at home atop its waves
illuminant, in purest light.
Mid savored heights my mem’ry saves 
inertia of the clover green
and shiver of the water’s sheen. 

Such riches now I do enjoy 
in solitude away from fray. 
I'm free from living once so coy;  
in spirits’ realm I long to stay,
for then, myself I will fulfill 
with gild as gold as daffodil.

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Valsa George Date: 8/22/2025 2:06:00 AM Sometimes this sort of an escape is needed in life. This world with its frantic hurry and humdrum become so tiring for us. Then to float into the skies carried by the wings of the current gives us a sense of sweet freedom and serene solitude. To be able to get detached from mortal needs makes us weightless. "in spirits’ realm I long to stay, for then, myself I will fulfill with gild as gold as daffodil." Love your sweet ending to the poem. How I wish I too could fly. There is a family function coming soon and I am in the midst of too many responsibilities that I wish to somehow escape, but in no way. Beautiful poem, dear Susan. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 8/23/2025 7:30:00 AM Dearest Valsa, you bare your heart and soul as beautifully in the comment box as you do in your gilded poetry pages. Your poetic thoughts, observations and critiques are swoon-worthy. Thank you for taking flight with me to the 'spirits' realm' where it's always "summertime and the living is easy" to quote the famous song "Summertime" from the opera Porgy and Bess. I think we all wish we could fly and escape the gravity of life's demands and responsibilities when they weigh too heavily upon us. Alas, earthbound we are to stand and face them. I wish you strength and endurance to face what lies ahead, my sweet poet friend. Warmest wishes to you, dearest Valsa.. ~Susan

Paula Goldsmith Date: 7/5/2025 11:06:00 AM What a wonderful write. I enjoyed reading. Love It... "Good Luck" Have a fun day writing away.......... Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 7/5/2025 11:10:00 AM Dear Paula, I'm so happy to know that you enjoyed my poem. Your comments are heartwarming and a joy to receive. Thank you, my dear poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman Date: 7/3/2025 12:07:00 PM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, your word usage and images are so rich I floated with you through the skies and over the seas! I love the homage to Daffodils in your last line - the feather to be gilded with golden sunshine! You have, as always, chosen a beautiful symbol and made it a metaphor for the seasons of life. Your words always reach a deep place in me. Are you going to set this to music? It would be a beautiful song! Best wishes for the contest. Sending you blessings of joy! Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 7/4/2025 8:42:00 AM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, your beautiful and uplifting comments thrill me like 4th of July fireworks! I'm so glad my imagery had you floating through cumulus fields like a weightless feather. A wonderful journey for us both... thank you for joining me and for noticing my homage to "Daffodils" with my last line.. your poetic perception never fails to be aware and wondrous. I would love to see this piece set to music but since I don't read or write music, I'm unable to do that.. but I humbly agree it would make a beautiful song. If you would like to add music/vocals let me know :) I know your musical talents could take this poem much further, my sweet and gifted poet sis. Happy 4th to you! Warmest wishes sent on a muted plume of peace.. ~Susan

Bill Baker Date: 6/30/2025 2:29:00 PM Great entry and great poetry, Susan. The imagery was outstanding and the message so true and fulfilling. You'll need no luck with this one. :-) A FAV for my list! Your poet friend in Texas, Bill Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 7/1/2025 9:09:00 AM Dear Bill, I'm elated to receive your wonderful comments. Your words are truly uplifting as is the high honor of your fav. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, they are treasured, my poet friend from Texas :) Warmest wishes to you and Sara.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/30/2025 11:31:00 AM Wow. A beautiful job. I did not really understand the rules to this contest. But it looks like you sure did Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 7/1/2025 9:06:00 AM Dear Andrea, I hope I got it right.. I had to read the rules several times, and since this concept is new to me, I have my fingers crossed that I understood it all correctly:) I'm so happy to receive your encouraging comments. They mean a lot to me. Thank you, dear Andrea. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

David Crandall Date: 6/29/2025 11:27:00 AM Thanks for introducing me to two beautiful poems, Wordsworth's and yours, I truly enjoyed reading them both. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 6/29/2025 9:26:00 PM Dear David, thank you for your beautiful comments. Wordsworth’s poem is so expressive and musical, and of course, inspiring. I’m glad you read and enjoyed the fantastic poem that inspired mine. Your visit is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Tom Woody Date: 6/29/2025 5:11:00 AM You know it's funny, when I read some of the so-called Greats poems, I sometimes think to myself, what's so great about it? In truth I've seen some poetry on PS that rivals what's out there in the professional world. Your excellent rhyme poem, carefully metered, is one such example. Soar on, Suze Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 6/29/2025 8:58:00 AM Dear Tom, you have always been a vibrant and expressive voice in admiring and promoting the quality of the amateur poetry on PS compared to the 'professional' grade poetry out there. I share in your opinions here. Thank you for your uplifting comments, and though, I tweaked the iambic tetrameter a bit (using feminine endings on the feather/weather and the choice to make a small break with meter with 'memory'), I'm so glad you noticed my "carefully metered" poem. Your thoughts mean a lot to me, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Suze

Unseeking Seeker Date: 6/28/2025 7:57:00 PM I feel like the feather on its enchanting journey! William Wordsworth will be pleased :) Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 6/28/2025 8:07:00 PM Dear Seeker, your thoughts are meaningful and treasured. Thank you for sharing in the enchanted journey with me. I hope William Wordsworth would be pleased and proud. I adore his poetry and wish to pay homage to his artistry. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Len Gasun Date: 6/28/2025 7:05:00 PM Hello my dearest poet friend Susan! A breathtaking and dazzling piece. Love this a lot from beginning to end. I'm joining you in the flight. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes in the contest! God bless you always. Hugs, hugs Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 6/28/2025 7:21:00 PM Hello my wonderful poet friend, Len, it’s a joy to hear from you! Thank you for sharing in this soulful flight with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed my poem, I’m uplifted by your words. Warmest wishes, my sweet poet friend.. ~Susan

Abdullah Alhemaidy Date: 6/28/2025 12:40:00 PM Hi Susan :-) Very interesting read! Flying is many poets big dream, Have a nice day AA Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 6/28/2025 12:43:00 PM Dear AA, I have dreamed about it since I was a kid.. thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful response to my poem. I'm glad you found it interesting :) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paige Hind Date: 6/28/2025 11:46:00 AM Hey, you did a great job with this!! It's so whimsical and I feel like I'm floating. Beautiful. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 6/28/2025 12:23:00 PM Dear Paige, thank you for your uplifting comments. I'm so glad you feel like you're floating... my verse has done its job! :) Your gracious visit is so appreciated. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan