Susan Ashley | + Follow Poet |
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Corruption of My Lust For Life

Hibiscus rays of light herald 
sun's stretch from night to twilight
in wakening blooms of ravishing red passion—
Oh! how I despise dawn's 
blushing optimism and lust for life
for I am too young to cry   but too old not to

featherlight the dandelion puff 
as zephyrs blew seeds of our fantasies
free to fly the whims and sighs of our summer days
till breezes laid our pixie-dust down
wishes taking root in fast flourish—
pollen-plush dream-weeds grew in fields of gold

champagne flowed voluptuously through our veins
we laughed and pulsed with ambrosia-arousal 
and with every nectarous nip 
we lived as though we would celebrate love 
f  o  r  e  v  e  r

a handful of heartbeats ago
we crystal-gazed into moon’s silver circle 
believing in foretold fortunes of our future
our mythologies shaped in affectionate frescoes 
sculpted softly into plum-dyed skies
constellations born from fireworks in our wooing eyes

—until the heart-twisting dawn-to-dark
when a cloud of angels cradled
sun-gilded harps 
against their white-rose-hearts
teardrops in ecstasies of grief and joy 
strummed celestial strings in virgin blue glissandos
lifting his lustrous soul away from me— lifting him
across the bridge to bliss —somewhere beyond me
and behind snowy veils of virtue

I am anemic
if not nothing now
adulterated
by loss of innocence
dwindling 
in a dreamless star-broken state
unoccupied
but for the lurid loss that fills me—

and my black skies storm with shrieking tears!

Copyright © Susan Ashley | Year Posted 2018

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Valsa George Date: 9/10/2025 6:05:00 AM Something that began on a joyous note ended in sorrow and silence. In the place of harmonious notes, dissonance and discordance settled, not self willed but forced upon by the cruel fate. It is so painful. After being lifted to the peaks of joy and later to be hurled into the nadir of despair is so heartbreaking. Dear Susan, you are yet to recover from the sense of loss that fills you. I feel your loss deeply. Fact or fiction, this is so powerful. I have been wondering why I haven't read it so far. This is written a couple of years before my entry into poetry soup. Congratulations on your many wins with this poem, especially in the Marathon Mile. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 9/13/2025 9:26:00 AM Dearest Valsa, I revel in the emotional beauty of your response to my poem. Your thoughts are so exquisitely expressed, as much so in the comment box as on your revered and inspired poetry pages filled with poems rich with the creative depth and breadth of your evocative poetic spirit. Thank you, my sweet poet friend, I am honored by both your presence and heartwarming words of congrats. You are ever held in the embrace of my appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

CayCay Jennings Date: 8/28/2025 1:14:00 AM I scrolled down because this felt familiar, and - wow, after all these years a part of me remembered your poem as witnessed by my comments from years ago. I still love the write and wish to congratulate you on your placement in the last marathon mile. Poetry hugs ... CayCay Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 8/29/2025 5:36:00 PM Dear CayCay, I revel in your return visit and remembrance of my poem. Your comments were beautiful then and they’re beautiful now. Thank you, my dear poet friend, for your kindness and for your heartwarming congrats. Your poetic spirit and friendship is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Rowena Velasco Date: 8/27/2025 8:13:00 PM This is breathtaking, Susan. The imagery is rich and deeply emotional, carrying both beauty and grief in every line. Truly powerful and moving! Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 8/28/2025 7:13:00 PM Dear Rowena, thank you truly for your gracious visit and beautiful comments. Your words touch me deeply. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Mark Toney Date: 8/27/2025 11:49:00 AM Susan, your poem has such emotional intensity as is takes us from a celebration of intense joy to the agony of loss. The last two lines are killer, “…but for the lurid loss that fills me—and my black skies storm with shrieking tears!” Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 10 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 11 has already started. You can find your overall standing in my Mile 10 blog post. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 8/28/2025 8:58:00 AM Dear Mark, I'm fond of those last two lines too, I'm glad you found them to be emotionally impactful. Your comments and kind congrats are received with my truest appreciation, as is my poem's placement in your highly regarded marathon contest. Indeed, I am honored, thank you, Mark. It's a pleasure to share the podium with the gifted poets on your list. My running shoes stay on morning, noon and night these days.. the marathon pace is fast and furious this go around lol! Thank you for your dedication to the cause, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Silent One Date: 1/5/2024 12:48:00 PM This one would have been number one for me dear poet and I did comment on this one way back in 2018...So many poetic verses in this one.. Congratulations on your placement... Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 1/9/2024 12:34:00 PM Dear Silent One, your return visit and heartening words are truly appreciated. That you would have placed this poem as number one is uplifting and is definitely my "golden trophy" for this piece. Thank you for believing in my poetry.. you have been a wonderful poetic mentor, dear poet. Your kind congrats are appreciated. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Ink Empress Date: 1/5/2024 2:20:00 AM Wow dear susan! Im a fan of your poetry! This is so evocative and your descriptive wordplay is beyond impeccable! I just love how you paint imagery and how creative and clever your diction is, the way you phrase emotions and thoughts is unique and is definitely the kind that resonates with me i especially loved the lines “ featherlight the dandelion puff as zephyrs blew the seeds of our fantasies—“ how delicate and eloquent is that and the ending hits home for me! Definitely a fave for me: congrats Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 1/9/2024 12:27:00 PM Dear Empress, soulful poetess, I am truly honored and humbled to know you're a fan of my poetry as I hold your grand poetic artistry up in such high esteem! Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Your lustrous presence adds a golden glow to my poem. The distinction of your fave and your kind congrats are held in my deepest appreciation, my dear talented friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Al Juman Date: 8/8/2018 10:56:00 AM When I was a kid we had no garden but an employee had lots flower plants on his steps and I use to love going early in the morning to look at his flowers with light rays changing color in the dew and I started to steal his plants. Of course by afternoon my mom would return them. That alone made my day. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 8/8/2018 4:36:00 PM I’m enchanted by your pleasant childhood reverie, Al, and delighted by the action your mother took, on your behalf. How wonderful that as a child you had a curious and artistic nature to notice the light rays changing color in the dew ~ that alone has made my day, my wonderful friend. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts.. ~Susan

Joe Dimino Date: 4/2/2018 1:57:00 PM Very beautiful, Susan; deep and provocative. This is why it is said, when one loses something, or change one's mind, the emptiness left needs to be replaced by something else endearing. Somethings cannot be replaced I know (another subject). Vacuums are always filled by negative energy. This is what is so dangerous about the way meditation is taught--especially the silence: one should always first surround one's self with spiritual white light. Great, passionate, sensual writing! I love it. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 4/26/2018 8:37:00 PM I apologize, Joe, for the delay in replying to your beautiful comments. Yes, I agree, that when loss is experienced, the void needs to be filled with something loving, endearing and appreciative.. otherwise negativity, pessimism or cynicism will take root and grow and it can decay you from the inside out.. I've seen it happen and I've made a choice not to let it happen to me. Thank you for your insightful and profound thoughts, my friend.. Warmest wishes always ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/12/2018 6:16:00 PM I see you won twice with this one now. WAY to GO!!! Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 3/13/2018 11:28:00 AM It's always such a pleasure for me to see your lovely presence on my poetry page Andrea.. Your encouragement and heartwarming comments are cherished. Thank you! Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Kai Michael Neumann Date: 2/28/2018 2:48:00 AM Sad, sso sad and beautifully written. Congratulations on your win in my contest. Kai Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/28/2018 7:06:00 PM Kai, thank you for the honor of my placement in your contest and for the inspiration your contest gave me to write this poem. It was a joy to participate and I appreciate your sponsorship. It pleases me to know you enjoyed my poem and I cherish your heartwarming comments.. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Sandra Haight Date: 2/27/2018 4:04:00 PM Susan, somehow I missed this poem before but reading it today blew me away! Such sadness and heartbreak so beautifully expressed through your emotional and touching imagery. Congratulations on both placements for this outstanding masterpiece. Hugs, Sandra Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/27/2018 4:31:00 PM Sandra, your visit is such a delight and your lovely comments are a pleasure for me to read.. Thank you for your uplifting and encouraging sentiments. Your heartfelt words and congrats means the world to me and that you enjoyed my poem thrills me. You are an inspiration my friend. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf Date: 2/27/2018 11:41:00 AM Back once again with congratulations on another winner, Susan! May the shrieking tears be ever transformed to tears of joy and gladness! Warm wishes, Gershon Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/27/2018 4:25:00 PM Oh Gershon, I just relish your comments! Yes, tears of joy and gladness are always wonderful and preferable for sure.. Thank you for your lovely comments and kindhearted congrats. Warmest wishes my friend. ~Susan

John Hamilton Date: 2/27/2018 8:26:00 AM I agree with Line the last line is off the charts good, but I enjoyed every word, this is another masterpiece Susan, congrats on a fine placement! Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/27/2018 4:18:00 PM Your wonderful sentiments fill me with joy, John. Thank you for being a positive light of inspiration for me through your encouraging and uplifting comments. Your visits are always heartwarming and your kind congrats is greatly appreciated my friend. ~Susan

Line Gauthier Date: 2/27/2018 8:12:00 AM Wonderful poem, Susan. Your last line "and my black skies storm with shrieking tears!" is amazing. Congrats on a most deserving win. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/27/2018 4:13:00 PM Line, it's such a pleasure to read your wonderful comments. Thank you for your lovely sentiments and kindhearted congrats.. ~Susan

John Gondolf Date: 2/27/2018 7:26:00 AM Susan, this is such a beautiful masterpiece. Your writing is so incredible and such an inspiration. Congrats my friend. John Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/27/2018 4:10:00 PM John, your lovely comments fill me with joy. Thank you so much for your delightful presence on my poetry page, for your beautiful comments and kindhearted congrats. A BIG congratulations to you, my friend, on your top win! ~Susan

Beautiful Scars Date: 2/27/2018 5:53:00 AM Sweet Susan..this was so amazing. Every line, every word entailed such emotion and greatness. I was so astounded with your poem, and actually all your poems! congrats and thank you :)-luloo Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/27/2018 4:06:00 PM Dear Luloo, thank you for the honor of my placement in your contest among the talented poets/poetesses also on the list. I am proud to be in such great company. It was a joy to participate in your contest and your sponsorship is appreciated. Thank you for your heartwarming comments and for your kind congrats.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley Date: 2/25/2018 8:12:00 PM This awesome piece floors me my friend. "" till the broken dawn-to-dark when angels cradled your harmonious harp against their hearts - their teardrops of ecstasy strumming your silvern strings in a glorious glissando that lifted your lustrous essence across the bridge to bliss somewhere beyond me and behind the snowy veils of virtue"" Magnificent!!!! A fav.... Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/25/2018 8:45:00 PM Oh thank you Robert for your generously beautiful comments and for the Fav! Your visits are always such a pleasure and YOU, my friend, are always a delight. Thank you for making my day! I cherish your kind heart and your uplifting presence here on my page.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux Date: 2/23/2018 5:33:00 PM I can see why so many are praising this piece. I am also impressed. Hugs Rick. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/23/2018 6:08:00 PM Thank you for sharing your beautiful and uplifting comments with me. To know that you are impressed Richard is like beautiful music to my ears. I'm elated that you enjoyed my poem. Your kindness is truly appreciated. ~Warmest wishes and hugs. ~Susan

Pandita Sietesantos Date: 2/23/2018 9:46:00 AM A great big round of applause and congratulations, my dear friend on your win! With this piece you continue to lead the way with your wonderful, refreshing talent! Best wishes and hugs. Pandita Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/23/2018 12:21:00 PM Oh my dear friend, you thrill me with your generously lovely words of praise. Thank you Pandita for your uplifting and encouraging comments, your precious thoughts and friendship inspire me to continue to reach higher and are deeply appreciated as always.. Warmest wishes and hugs. ~Susan

Barbara Barry-Nishanian Date: 2/22/2018 5:42:00 PM I"m visiting today because read you comment to Silent One's Tree poem. I was educated by your comment.I am too new to writing to say anything, except I am in awe of your style. Feel need million lesson before submit any more of mine. So glad to have met you! Whatever won, congrats. bbn Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/23/2018 12:14:00 PM Barbara, thank you for your heartfelt and kindhearted comments. I'm like you, I have much to learn as well. Every poem that you read or write is a stepping stone in developing your own artistry and experiencing the artistry of other poets. Please keep reading and writing, it's with practice and awareness that we grow into our poetry. Your poems, that I've read so far, are beautiful and enjoyable - have faith in yourself.. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Eve Roper Date: 2/21/2018 10:58:00 PM Susan, such a powerful write a well deserved win! Hugs Eve Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/23/2018 8:38:00 AM Thank you, Eve for your heartwarming comments. Your delightful visit and kind words are deeply appreciated. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Sonia Walker Date: 2/21/2018 1:42:00 PM Susan, hats off to your winning entry. Hugs, Sonia Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/21/2018 8:41:00 PM Thank you so much Sonia for your delightful visit and your kindhearted congrats. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit Date: 2/21/2018 1:38:00 PM Returning with congrats on your win, Susan. Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/21/2018 8:42:00 PM Thank you so much, Vijay for your warm congrats. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Probir Gupta Date: 2/21/2018 11:33:00 AM Congratulations Susan for the nice win of this wonderful poem so rich in imagery and so moving ... Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/21/2018 8:46:00 PM That you found my poem to rich in imagery and moving, delights me so very much and is deeply appreciated, Probir. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts and for your kindhearted congrats. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Charlie Smith Date: 2/21/2018 11:04:00 AM So very well done Susan, congratulations... Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 2/21/2018 11:28:00 AM Thank you so much Charlie for your heartwarming comments and kind congrats. Your visit is a delight my friend! ~Susan

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