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A Tear-Ful Conversation With My Daughter

It starts with only one - one like me a melancholy migrant from the immortal part of her to the locus of her physical being -- the center of her emotional wisdom I gain heartfelt strength as I gather my forces rising up en masse riding cresting waves of woe to breach the ramparts - the welling rims of her loving eyes it starts with only one - one perfectly ripened drop of sorrow this beautifully packaged pain and a lustrous cascade of soulful pearls ensues wept gems pouring forth from a pure heart.. I am the tears your mother cries. Susan Ashley May 5, 2018 ~ Poem Of The Week ~ Week beginning Sunday, May 13, 2018 ~ Seventh Place ~ Contest: Early May Premiere (2018) Sponsor: Brian Strand Poet's note; For my beautiful daughter, Jocelyn, you inspire me with your light, joy, spirited determination and intellect. Though your academic pursuits take you many, many miles away from me and I grieve your absence, when you return home I shall celebrate with tears of joy! For today, however, I'll let my grieving tears speak for themselves... I love you and I miss you, my Jocee <3

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Timothy Ray

Date: 6/5/2022 8:27:00 AM

as the father of four daughters may i congratulate you on this wonderful poem...your talents are immense

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/10/2022 7:45:00 PM

Dear Timothy, it’s wonderful to know you have four daughters. Your insight is fine-tuned to be sure. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts. I am humbled and honored to receive such lovely comments from a gifted poet such as yourself, my inspiring friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/4/2018 9:00:00 AM

Back again to congratulate you on this superb poem being number one on the Best New Poems list, my dear friend. Truly a well deserved recognition of your poetic talents, sincerity and heart in writing.

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/4/2018 4:09:00 PM

Thank you my good friend, Your generosity and kindness knows no bounds. I relish your heartwarming congrats and beautiful sentiments, Robert. Warmest wishes to you always.. ~Susan

Rhonda Rieck-Rush

Date: 6/2/2018 7:30:00 PM

This is a lovely tribute to a daughter. Your words enrich us with emotional connection to our offspring. Beautifully written!

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/3/2018 9:10:00 PM

Thank you, Rhonda, for the delight of your visit and for your beautiful comments. Your lovely thoughts are so appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/2/2018 6:01:00 AM

My great friend, your words weave a finely tuned musical of the heart and soul's united and immense love for your child. Yes, I feel much the same about my beautiful daughter K.K. THE INFINITE DEPTHS OF TRUE LOVE SIMPLY CAN NOT BE MEASURED! Congratulations on your beautiful poem receiving this high honor!

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/2/2018 11:04:00 AM

With a generous heart and soul like yours, Robert, I knew that you would be able to relate to the depth and breadth of these feelings of unconditional parental love and longing, especially for a child (no matter how old..) so very far from home.. such sadness in missing them. Thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts with me and for your kindhearted congrats.. Warmest wishes my wonderful friend. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/1/2018 1:30:00 AM

Oh Susan, this poem captured my heart. I can relate to being far away from children I rarely get to see...an ocean away. This is such a beautiful example of a mother's love! Congratulations on having it deservedly honored for POTW and for your win in the contest! I appreciated every heartfelt word! xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/1/2018 11:19:00 AM

Connie, your maternal heart overflows with relatable and loving feelings. Thank you for sharing in my emotional experience and in the heart aching but beautiful realm of a mother's love. I cherish your exquisite comments and your warmhearted congrats. It's great to see you my friend! Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/27/2018 7:08:00 PM

Hello Susan, first there are tear drops,then there is the pain. Tear drops fall until they stop, then the pain comes. Have a nice evening my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/30/2018 9:50:00 AM

Your welcome my friend. Have a nice day .

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/27/2018 7:59:00 PM

Hello Darlene, thank you for your beautiful and insightful comments. I agree, the immediate outpouring of grief lasts until it's spent, but the pain lingers much longer.. I relish your lovely thoughts. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 5/27/2018 9:44:00 AM

A melancholy migrant who took on the world, and succeeded in so many ways. Beautifully penned.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/27/2018 11:36:00 AM

Scott, your beautiful comment is cherished and your kindness is truly appreciated. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts with me.. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 5/27/2018 12:09:00 AM

Exquisite phrasing of a heart-wrenching and powerful piece ... this is just wonderful, Susan, with so much emotion expressed with an economy of words, and that is a tool that few poets command. Just gorgeous - love it, and fav-ing! :-) <3

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/27/2018 11:34:00 AM

Gregory, I relish your exquisite comments and your kindness is deeply appreciated. Your beautiful sentiments fill me joy! Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts with me and for the fav! Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Arturo Michael

Date: 5/26/2018 6:44:00 PM

A whole lotta love there...Nicely written...Lucky daughter...A mother's tears from the heart...All the best Susan...

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/27/2018 11:26:00 AM

Thank you, Arturo, for sharing in my sad expression.. It seems to me that tears wept for a child are different, in such a very special way, than tears wept otherwise.. Seeing you here is truly delightful and deeply appreciated. Warmest wishes always, mon ami ~Susan

Jannie Breedt

Date: 5/24/2018 5:54:00 AM

Hi Susan, deeply moving and crafted into a sonnet of beauty. Congrats on the accolades.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/25/2018 10:05:00 PM

Thank you Jannie, for the delight of your visit and for sharing your wonderful thoughts. Your kindness is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Allan Terry

Date: 5/23/2018 12:02:00 PM

nice poem, BRAVO !

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/23/2018 7:15:00 PM

Thank you, Allan, for the delight of your visit and for the extra delight of your 'BRAVO!' :) I don't believe we've met and it's so nice to make your acquaintance. Your time spent with my poem is deeply appreciated and I will be visiting your page very soon.. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Robertina B.

Date: 5/21/2018 6:52:00 PM

"Susan your free verse is beyond excellent.. I was so moved by your work of art.. So heartfelt .. The power of Love!! Unconditional love between a mother and child.. "..

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/21/2018 7:21:00 PM

Robertina, I deeply appreciate your genuinely beautiful comments that touch my heart. Tis true, a mother's love for her child is like no other, and nothing else even comes close. Thank you for your time spent with my poem, I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Warmest wishes, my friend. ~Susan

Jan Allison

Date: 5/20/2018 5:33:00 AM

what an awesome safari you have taken us on Tom .... but you forgot to write about the tiny dik dik lol:-) Many congrats on POTW hugs Jan xx

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/21/2018 7:17:00 PM

Hi Jan, on behalf of Tom and myself, thank you, for your wonderful comments and kindhearted congrats :))) Warmst wishes.. ~Susan

Maria Williams

Date: 5/16/2018 6:45:00 AM

My dear Susan, back again. I am so very happy to see this beautifully crafted poem awarded both a placing and POTW. Congratulations my dear friend.....Maria xxx

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/17/2018 10:59:00 AM

Dear Maria, your presence is always uplifting! I relish your return visit and deeply appreciate your kindness. Thank you for your beautiful comments and heartfelt congrats. Warmest wishes and hugs my dear friend.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/15/2018 2:59:00 PM

This is such a heart rendering expression of letting go written so beautifully Susan. I can relate. Congratulations on having this awesome deserving poem honored with POTW and for your contest win! An exceptional piece your daughter will cherish! xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/17/2018 10:55:00 AM

Connie, it's so nice to have your sweet presence grace my page.. Thank you for your heartwarming comments and kind congrats. Your kindness is cherished, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Cheryl Hoffman

Date: 5/15/2018 8:38:00 AM

This poem shows the true love of a Mom when a child leaves the nest; an awesome sentimental write Susan! Belated congrats on a fine win!~Che :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/15/2018 10:38:00 AM

Che, your wonderful visit warms my heart. Thank you for beautiful kindness of your comments and congrats. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Alexis Y.

Date: 5/14/2018 10:21:00 AM

Wow! Susan, Once again I am in awe of your pen. You managed to make the pain ( a mother feels from missing her child)and a mother's tears look so poetic. I haven't experienced this yet. My daughter is still in grade school. I can relate though from a mother's perspective. Congratulations on your winning write and for getting the poem of the week. PS, I hope you had an awesome Mother's Day:-) Alexis

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/15/2018 10:29:00 AM

Alexis, your wonderful visit and endearing comments fill me with appreciation and joy. Thank you for sharing your precious and personal thoughts with me.. I hope you had an awesome Mother's Day as well, my lovely friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 5/14/2018 10:17:00 AM

Stunning piece Susan <3 Wonderful. Congratulations Lovely! xomo!

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/15/2018 10:27:00 AM

Thank you, dear Maureen, for the endearing kindness of your wonderful comments and heartfelt congrats. Warmest wishes, my lovely.. ~Susan

Jan Allison

Date: 5/13/2018 2:15:00 PM

Many congrats on POTW and your win with this emotional poem:-) hugs jan xx

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/13/2018 9:59:00 PM

Thank you, Jan, for your kindhearted congrats and your wonderful comments. Your visit is a delight! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Daniel Turner

Date: 5/13/2018 9:48:00 AM

Back to say congratulations on POTW Susan. i am so happy for you. Happy Mother's Day!

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/13/2018 10:01:00 PM

Thank you, Daniel. Your kindness and heartfelt comments fill me with gratitude and joy. Warmest wishes, my dear friend. ~Susan

Robert Lindley

Date: 5/13/2018 4:15:00 AM

The depths of truth and beauty in this one rends the soul my friend. One can tell when poetry is written from the deep wellspring of the loving heart. Reading this wondrous gem this morn has again reminded me of our mother and her deep love for all her children.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/13/2018 10:06:00 PM

The depth of your sincerity and the beauty of your meaningful comments touches my heart, dear Robert. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and for spending some time with my poetry - I'm so happy you enjoyed my humble offering.. Warmest wishes, my wonderful friend. ~Susan

Jean Murray

Date: 5/10/2018 4:30:00 PM

They teach us unconditional love, so the well is purity itself where those pearls are made Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/11/2018 4:24:00 PM

Jean, your lovely comments are truly pearls of wisdom.. Thank you for bestowing me with your kind and thoughtful sentiments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 5/10/2018 10:44:00 AM

"riding cresting waves of woe to breach the ramparts; the welling rims of her loving eyes." Wow - immensely intriguing ode you've crafted so well, Susan. Definitely adding this one to my favorites!! Interesting, a tear centering in on that emotional wisdom that perhaps only a mother possesses. Always, Laura

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/11/2018 4:27:00 PM

Laura, reading your beautiful reviews of my poetry is always a lovely highlight in my day.. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts, your comments are insightful and meaningful, and your kindness is deeply appreciated. Many thanks for the fav, as well. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 5/10/2018 10:20:00 AM

My daughter has been married and in another city for many years. She was supposed to come home for Mother's Day but instead has surgery scheduled in early June and cannot make the trip, and I can't be with her because of my own health problems. So "A lustrous cascade of soulful pearls ensues wept gems pouring forth from a pure heart" truly is speaking to me. All of your writing is exquisite.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/12/2018 7:29:00 PM

Sunlite, your thoughtful, meaningful and heartfelt comments are held in my deepest appreciation and I empathize with you for your heartache. I'm so sorry for the hardships that keep you and your daughter apart.. I know how that must tear at your heartstrings. Thank you, my friend, for sharing this emotional part of your world with me.. Warmest wishes to you and for a speedy recovery for your daughter as well.. ~Susan

Alesia Leach

Date: 5/9/2018 12:13:00 PM

A well deserved win! Your poem was powerful, emotive and brought tears to my eyes. My son joined the Marines and leaves in June. While it is temporary, it is still a great sadness.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/12/2018 3:00:00 PM

Thank you, Alesia for your beautiful comments and for sharing your precious thoughts.. I empathize with your sadness. Their leaving is so bittersweet; you want them to grow, explore and become independent, become their own person in their own life, but the mom in us still wants to keep them with us, protect them.. mother them.. I guess we need to evolve with them and it's very difficult sometimes.. I appreciate your feelings. Warmest wishes, my friend ~Susan