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A Thing of Beauty

grit i n f l a m e s narrative valor e m b o s o m s hardship sorrow e m b o s s e s soul oyster c r e a t e s pearl Susan Ashley November 24, 2020 *poetry form: Brevette* ~ Honorable Mention ~ Contest: Un-Rhy-Me Sponsor: Brian Strand Poet’s note: the pearl is symbolic of perfection and incorruptibility.

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Howard Kerr

Date: 11/26/2022 12:53:00 PM

Dear Susan, Imaginative writing of the highest caliber has been created by this insightful sequence of reflections. They are concise, crystal clear and compact in nature. Once more thank you so much for your insights on Brink which I will use for growth. I value your intuition on aspects of this work Warm wishes Howard

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2022 8:08:00 AM

Dear Howard, I am thrilled by your response to my poem! Thank you for your uplifting words, they are received with gratitude. You're welcome for my comments on your wonderful monoku Brink, a thought-provoking piece, indeed. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Brian Sambourne

Date: 6/22/2021 9:01:00 AM

A delightful, most creative write. Out of the ash of sorrow, can memory fashion a pearl. Best wishes to a stellar poet. Sincerely, Brian

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/26/2021 8:21:00 AM

Indeed, my dear friend. Our minds tends to dull the bad and reflect the good, a pleasant phenomenon. I cherish your beautiful comments, dear Brian. Your wonderful insight as valued as a pearl. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Timothy Hicks

Date: 4/15/2021 6:30:00 PM

This is quite interesting. Never heard of the form "Brevette", but it seems like a fitting name. Had to read a couple times, as I don't think it really hit me what you were getting at until the final stanza about the oyster creating the pearl. Sorrow is the incubator for the soul, like the oyster for the pearl. Needing grit, for a narrative to have punch. Your poem makes one think.

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/16/2021 5:52:00 PM

Oh by the way, the Brevette poetry form was introduced to me by Joseph May who ran a contest, or maybe two, using this lovely form. I missed entering the contests but was inspired by the poetry form nonetheless.. :)) Thank you again, for looking below the surface of my poem..

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/16/2021 5:47:00 PM

Dear Timothy, thank you for sharing the insightful depths of your wonderful thoughts with me. This poem was inspired by the last two lines of one of my older poems posted here "The Influence Of God", the last two lines are; "To make pearls out of grit / is to make sorrow and hardship a thing of beauty." So yes, for one's life narrative "to have a punch" and develop a rich patina, one must endure hardships to cultivate the beauty of empathy, appreciation, fortitude and wisdom. I relish your visits, dear poet, and your poetic friendship too. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Angela Crabtree

Date: 12/16/2020 7:40:00 PM

It's funny how life is like that. Excellent verse, Susan :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/17/2020 8:35:00 AM

Thank you, Angie, for your lovely comments, both your gracious visit and kind words are so appreciated. Indeed, fortunate is the one who can make pearls out of grit and turn sorrow and hardship into a thing of beauty. Your presence lights up my poem's page, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/16/2020 7:47:00 AM

Hi Susan, an excellent piece of poetry, you always inspire all of us on soup - your poetry rocks dear Susan, anything that your write about (whatever topic) is unbelievable, Hugs dear poetry sister and blessings for Christmas to you and yours, Hugs and Blessings, Jennifer.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/17/2020 8:40:00 AM

My sweet poetry sister, your beautiful and generous heart shines through your uplifting comments. I am both thrilled and humbled to bask in your glow. Thank you, dear Jennifer, for honoring me with your lovely presence and golden friendship. I hold you always close in my heart. Warmest Christmas wishes, love and hugs to you and yours.. ~Susan

Brian Sambourne

Date: 12/3/2020 6:41:00 PM

A wonderful poem. You say much with a few well chosen words. Congratulations on your work + its deserved recognition. Best wishes Brian

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/4/2020 6:35:00 PM

Thank you, Brian. My poems are usually a bit more wordier than this, but brevity is a good thing to practice, every now and then, since I am naturally verbose.. Your beautiful comments are delightful as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Janice Canerdy

Date: 12/2/2020 2:30:00 PM

Susan, you have conveyed a wise and wonderful theme is this fine, creative piece. CONGRATS! Janice

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/4/2020 6:32:00 PM

Thank you, Janice. Your wonderful thoughts are a joy to receive as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/2/2020 2:07:00 PM

I am back with my congrats on Brian's list with your cute series of brevetts!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/4/2020 6:29:00 PM

Your return visit is appreciated twice as much, Andrea. Thank you for your heartwarming congrats, my friend.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman

Date: 12/1/2020 8:44:00 AM

My rhyme time friend your words leave their imprint in my heart like the memory of a fine wine at dinnertime as they climb on the winners list. As always stunning word choices - "embosses" - leaving an impression for all time! Sending you my congratulations dear friend and in the meantime, blessings of the season!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2020 10:36:00 AM

My rhyme time friend, your comments are a treasure for they are a pleasure held in my heart's shrine are your words divine... and fine wine at dinnertime is a bliss sublime! Sam, your rich comments and heartwarming congrats are such a thrill to receive. Thank you for making my day, wondrous poetess. Warmest wishes and a sleigh full of ho-ho-ho's.. ~Susan

Greg Gaul

Date: 12/1/2020 5:11:00 AM

Interesting and clever format. Liked especially the sentiment about the pearl. A poetic thought if there ever was one! Congratulations on making us think once again.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2020 10:17:00 AM

Dear Greg, this poetry form is the Brevette. Joseph May's contest, "In Just A Few Words" inspired my interest in this form. Though I didn't participate in the contest, I was tempted to give it a try after reading the winning poems. I must say I enjoy the challenge of this form. Thank you for your lovely comments and kind congrats that touch my heart, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Newton Ranaweera

Date: 11/29/2020 9:35:00 AM

Such a creative paint supported with music!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2020 10:10:00 AM

Newton, thank you for such a beautiful comment. Your gracious visit and lovely thoughts are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 11/29/2020 12:05:00 AM

You know from my previous comment how much I LOVE your Brevette writing, but that isn't to say your beloved verbosity needs any modification (I agree with Silent One and John H below). But my goodness, Susan, these are 12 words of poetic paradise! The wordplay of grit being the sand particle that starts a pearl and grit being resolve and commitment was sensational as was the pairing of embosoming with embossing. The final three words were a surprise to me, but perfectly encapsulate it ~ A FAV!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2020 10:02:00 AM

My wonderful friend, oh, how your golden comments delve deeply into the spirit of my poem.. Thank you, John, for gracing my poem with the warm glow of your amazing light. Your precious thoughts are treasured, as is the great honor of your fav. I admire and adore your ability to inspire my grateful being with the lovely tenor, texture and richness of your response. Warmest wishes always, my poetry brother.. ~Susan

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 11/28/2020 5:24:00 AM

These brevettes are too good Susan.... your pen never fails to inspire me.... 'embosoms', 'embosses'... just loved these choice of words.. Have a great weekend dear friend. Hugs ~ Ani

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/28/2020 8:41:00 AM

Thank you, dearest Ani, for seeing the value in my poem. I, too, love both words, 'embosoms', 'embosses' and couldn't resist pairing them in this piece. Both your gracious visit and inspiring comments are a thrill to receive, dear poetess. Warmest wishes and hugs, my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/26/2020 5:48:00 PM

you are superb with this sweet little poetry form!

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:44:00 AM

I am thrilled to receive your comment, Andrea. That means so much to me coming from a poetess I admire greatly. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Hamilton

Date: 11/25/2020 9:21:00 AM

I agree with SO I love your verbosity!! It is unmatched on this site, or anywhere for that matter.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:48:00 AM

John, your golden light shines with positive vibes upon my poem's page and I am humbled by its glow. Thank you my dear friend, for your encouragement that helps me grow as a poet with each and every poem. I have a very verbose poem to be posted soon :)) I hope you'll enjoy it, it may be my longest poem yet. It will probably post within the next week or so. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 11/25/2020 4:39:00 AM

Interesting form you have chosen here... You definitely reined in your verbosity, but your verbosity is so awesome, you have no need to do so...

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:49:00 AM

Thank you, John :))

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:43:00 AM

Silent One, you never cease to amaze me nor inspire me! Your comments touch my heart deeply, my friend. Thank you for your wonderful encouragement. Your friendship is a beacon shining in my poetic skies. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

John Hamilton
Date: 11/25/2020 9:18:00 AM

Took the words right out of my mouth!!

Paul Callus

Date: 11/25/2020 2:49:00 AM

Definitely an inspired string of Brevettes, Susan! This "pearl" of a poem would have placed high in the contest! I like how you proceeded from one step to the other. You succeeded in 'reining in your verbosity', but I can still find lots of it between the lines :) ~ Warm regards & Hugs, my friend. // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:40:00 AM

Dear Paul, your awesome comments fill me with delight! Yes, I'm so glad you could read all that was left unsaid between the lines.. my invisible verbosity..lol! :)) As always, your golden presence lights up my poem's page and my heart. Thank you, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 11/24/2020 9:52:00 PM

This is exquisite, Susan. It's a Fave! Happy Thanksgiving, Evelyn

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:29:00 AM

Thank you, Evleyn, for the great honor of your fave and your uplifting comment. My Thanksgiving was wonderful, I truly hope yours was as well, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Susan Woodrow

Date: 11/24/2020 8:46:00 PM

beautiful brevity! love how you used embosoms and embosses :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/27/2020 11:28:00 AM

Thank you, Miss Numero Uno! :) I relish your uplifting comments and your lovely Susan style gracing my poem's page. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Sandra Adams

Date: 11/24/2020 7:38:00 PM

never heard of this form but i like the way you put this together... grit reminds me of the sandy ocean bottom... the oyster of course lives on the grit, the pearl develops inside it... so to me it's like it came full circle. without knowing the form i don't know if that's what it is supposed to do but regardless i like how you crafted this one! wonderful penning! hugs

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/24/2020 7:57:00 PM

Hi Sandra, it so nice to see you, you have been missed! Thank you for your beautiful comments. I'm so happy you enjoyed this :)) This form was inspired by, but not written for, Joseph May’s contest “In Just A Few Words”, using the Brevette poetry form. On his contest page, Joseph defines the form. I think you should try it.. I bet you'd be great with it. I did not participate in the contest but decided to try the form after reading the contest winners. I also expanded the number of brevettes used from two to four for this poem. Your gracious visit is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Robertina B.

Date: 11/24/2020 7:06:00 PM

Absolutely enjoyed your amazing verse, dear Susan.. Such an exquisite piece of mastery.. As always your talent shines! Many blessings my friend.. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/24/2020 7:32:00 PM

My wonderful friend, it is such an immense pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for your uplifting comments that are so very touching. I am humbled by your generous thoughts, dear Robertina, and I hold you and your inspiring words in my truest appreciation. Warmest wishes to you, dear poetess, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.. ~Susan