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Summer Sonnet: River-Woman

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July 16, 2025

Contest: Summer Sonnets
Sponsor: X F Lacasse

*contest option: creative punctuation

Awakened! I returned a stream in Spring to flow and grow on nature’s snowmelt milk. I came to be of earth and sky (...a fling;), my sire a winter storm. Like liquid silk emerging, I was born; a water-child. Between two banks I nestled with my dreams and bloomed a gAnGLy creek ‘til solstice. Wild I played— not meek but sleek. I crested s-e-a-m-s, a juvenile with ~snaky-curves~ and —==>speed. Mid June rebellion, ripples bared, I’d run as sweet as rum and swelled with rain, (a)greed; the gasoline with which my wish was spun… by August dusk, a river-woman reigned! Oh, stars— those s.t.u.d.s— did r!se [as if ordained].

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CayCay Jennings

Date: 7/25/2025 11:28:00 PM

You've got meter and playful spackling running about, bold letters, dashes, parens, even studs and other w/o end. It's a poem riot. What fun you must have had creating this masterpiece. I have assigned myself challenges most of my life and I may take a long time with them, but I love the conquering, know you do, too (it's what we breathe and need, gets us high.) This put a smile on my face. I had a good time with this poem and none of the rioters hurt me. CayCay

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/30/2025 10:54:00 AM

Dear CayCay, it's wonderful to see you on my poem's page and amongst the many pages of PS again! I'm so glad to know that this poem put a smile on your face. Yes the creative punctuation was a fun contest challenge. I didn't know what to do with it at first, but then I started to experiment with it and I was amazed at how creative use of punctuation could animate the words in a different way. Your thoughtful comments put a smile on my face, my dear poet friend... and happy that none of the rioters hurt you :)) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/19/2025 2:47:00 PM

This is really well expressed. I suspect if will do well in the contest.

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/20/2025 9:46:00 AM

Dear Richard, thank you for your uplifting words and for having faith in my poem. Your gracious visit and kindness is most appreciated. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman

Date: 7/18/2025 11:28:00 AM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, you always take me to new heights with your poetry! Love your experiments with punctuation - definitely a measure of your immense creativity! And, the image of a river as infant, child and then woman is so creative - so fresh - only you could take me on a journey with her through her seasons and stages of life. I love "a juvenile with snaky curves!" Just made me smile. Your river lives! Sending you blessings flowing on living waters, sweet poetry sis!

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/20/2025 9:53:00 AM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, I relish scaling new poetic heights with you!:) I'm so glad you enjoyed my experimental punctuation.. it was a really wonderful contest challenge. Thank you for taking the journey with me as the stream grew from a water-child to a river-woman, reaching her full potential, changing and growing with the passing seasons of spring and summer. Your comments are as beautiful as they are treasured, and your gracious visit made me smile, my sweet poetry sis. Your golden presence brightens my poem's page so wonderfully. Warmest wishes sent on ripples of joy.. ~Susan

Rowena Velasco

Date: 7/18/2025 4:24:00 AM

Your words flow as beautifully as the river you describe, Susan. The vivid imagery and rhythm capture the wild, evolving spirit of nature—and life—so well. A truly lyrical journey!

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/20/2025 9:29:00 AM

Dear Rowena, I'm thrilled that you felt my poem to be a lyrical journey! Your comments are beautiful and heartwarming and fill me with appreciation for your poetic presence. Thank you for gracing my poem with your light and insight. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Bill Baker

Date: 7/17/2025 5:50:00 PM

Your creativity abounds in this fine Sonnet, Susan. I always enjoy a well-written Sonnet. Thanks for sharing this one with us today, my friend. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/19/2025 10:01:00 AM

Dear Bill, my poet friend in Texas, I'm thrilled that you found my sonnet creative and enjoyable.. that's just what I was going for! :) Thank you for your wonderful visit and inspiring words. They are treasured along with your friendship. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paige Hind

Date: 7/17/2025 12:30:00 PM

Gosh, wow - I'm speechless. Your metaphors are really so truly original - and I so admire you for that. Amazing.

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/19/2025 8:32:00 AM

Dear Paige, your wonderful response to my poem fills me with joy and gratitude. Thank you for your touching words. I'm both humbled and honored.. and heart-warmed too. I'm so happy to know you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes, my sweet poet friend.. ~Susan

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 7/17/2025 7:23:00 AM

extraordinary contemporary sonnet, i absolutely love it! are you a water sign by any chance?

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/19/2025 8:28:00 AM

Dear Charlotte, I relish that you "absolutely love" my poem! Thank you for your uplifting comments, they are treasured. Since I'm a Libra, I'm an Air sign.. but judging by most of my poetry, you could think I am a water sign... though I do write about the wind pretty often too but maybe not as much as water.. hehe! I'm as long-winded as a winding river, that's for sure, lol! Warmest wishes, my inspiring poet friend.. ~Susan

Tom Woody

Date: 7/17/2025 7:12:00 AM

A new Suze! How you managed to maintain perfect iambic meter with this quirky, oddly punctuated write (perfect for the theme) I'll never know. It just highlights your extraordinary poetic skill. And of course, the water reference was a must. Very nice

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/19/2025 8:21:00 AM

Dear Tom, of course, water would take center stage, lol! Thank you for noticing my meter. I've worked very hard to learn about different meters and it's such a satisfying joy when it all falls into rhythm in the right way. I actually wrote this poem sans punctuation first and then played around with it 'til I felt that the punctuation enhanced the poem (..hopefully, it does). Thank you for your visit and heartwarming comments. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Suze