Susan Ashley Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

September 20, 2025

~ First Place ~
Contest: 2025 Poetry Marathon
(Qualifiers' Final Placement judged 11/21/2025)
Sponsor: Mark Toney

~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 18
Sponsor: Mark Toney

*Dedicated to all the innocent children who, through no fault of their own, suffer in all war zones around the world. 

*Nightjars: medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds. For this poem, they are a symbol of transformation from light to dark, life to death. 

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Dear Child Of War,

dust-wearing-wind carries a feeble cry in its palm,
settles it near ears that can no longer hear.
Cries arise from hollows of your hungry face,
a pulpit of high cheeks bones— in sharp relief 
to sunken skin-scape sallow and paper thin—
a preacher on the harrows of hunger.

Vulture keeps a still, silent vigil,
a patient witness to your starvation,
comrade and adversary 
in a fight for your last breath and beat.
Your loyal companion, a symbol of death
where drones rain with flames on tents of refugees
and sky splitting missiles make shrapnel of the sun,
where dragon fire artillery shoots the moon
and shreds stars till they fate-fall
like the last nightjars from nocturne skies. 

Dear child of war,

alone with nothing in your belly but a stone,   
rib bones a famine cage,
thoracic fingers squeeze your soul.
Your heart a hostage, 
flutters like a lost moth against your sternum.

I long to hold you and feed you
honey made from a million wild flowers 
uncrushed beneath metal plates of tank treads.
I yearn to bathe you of collapsed concrete dust 
cleanse you of your mother’s blood, her
rattle-boned, battle-owned, maternal body wrapped 
over yours as they fed her Kalashnikov lead. 

My faraway ache for your plight pales
against your tiny body’s black-rose-throes,
a pawn to thorns of soldiers
grown on rocket-torn-boot-worn streets.
War-zone fig trees bear no fruit,
hibiscus buds die as hornets knit nests into shrubs,
tomorrow but a diseased wheat field laid to waste.

Dear child of war,

deliverance will come when pall-bearer winds 
carry your cries elsewhere…

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Ann Peck December 8, 2025 at 2:34 PM Yes, we have failed them. Terribly. Daily. How can we not walk through the torn sand they have lived on and carry bags of food and clothes and safe places to sleep. It's too sad and shameful to contemplate our weakness and lack of humanity. Your poem is wonderful, dear Susan. Congratulations on your big win! Susan Ashley December 31, 2025 at 10:12 AM Dear Ann, the beauty of your empathy shines in your thoughtful and touching response to my poem. Thank you for sharing in the destruction and agony of this poem with me. Ultimately, the "Lack of humanity" will be the end of humanity, and I can't say we don't deserve it as many people are truly heartless to the suffering they intentionally inflict upon innocents. I hold your kind congrats in my truest appreciation, my sweet poet friend. Please accept my apologies for my late response to you, dearest Ann. Warmest wishes and hugs to you for a happy new year.. ~Susan

I Am Anaya November 28, 2025 at 3:33 AM Susan, the finish line is yours, congratulations on being the Marathon winner! Dedicated to all the innocent children of war, most necessary awareness. Brilliant! Susan Ashley December 6, 2025 at 8:38 AM Dearest Anaya, I delight in your visit! Thank you for your precious thoughts and kind congratulations. They are cherished as is your poetry friendship. Sorry for the delay in responding, I haven't been able to be here much lately. Will visit your pages very soon, my lovely poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Subimal Sinha-Roy November 27, 2025 at 10:40 PM Hearty congratulations, Susan, for your first place win in the gruelling marathon. Best wishes. Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM Dear Subimal, it’s wonderful to see you! Thank you for your gracious visit and kind congrats, both are received with joy and appreciation. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Sandra Haight November 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM Dear Susan, congratulations on your First Place win in Mark Toney's Marathon Poetry Contest! I am so happy for you! Your poem, "Dear Child of War," brought tears to my eyes as I read your amazing words that painted the incredible pain and suffering that these innocent children endure. Hugs, Sandra Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM Dear Sandra, it’s wonderful to see you! Thank you for your warm words of congrats and for sharing in the imagery and emotions of this poem with me. The beauty of your empathy shines in the tears in your eyes. Your tender heart shines with kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Line Gauthier November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM Susan, congrats on being the Marathon winner with your poignant poetry. Well deserved gold medal of course ~ bravo ! Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM Dear Line, your gracious visit and heartwarming words of congrats are received with appreciation and joy. Thank you, my poet friend, for your kindness. I am truly touched. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Christine Watts November 23, 2025 at 12:37 PM Hi Susan Congratulations on a beautifully written poem for this contest. Filled with stark descriptive lines that tug at the heart strings , filled with emotion to the plight of the innocent children of war. Excellent read Cheers Christine Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM Dear Christine, thank you for sharing in the imagery and emotions of this poem with me. Your precious thoughts are appreciated as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gary Radice November 23, 2025 at 2:53 AM Susan, I'm scratching my head as to why I haven't read this masterpiece before now. What a superb free verse. John Steinbeck got it right for me when he said:"All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal" Great writing Susan. Cheers - Gary Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM Dear Gary, indeed, Steinbeck got it right. World leaders should take his words to heart and conscience. Thank you for your wonderful visit and for sharing your treasured thoughts. Warmest wishes, my dear poet friend.. ~Susan

Valsa George November 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM I vividly remember to have read this heart piercing poem. Your poems leave an indelible impression on the readers with their powerful emotional appeal and the mastery of versification. You deserve the trophy more than anybody. I feel proud and glad that I could get the 11th place on competing with poets of your calibre.This is a proud moment for you to rejoice and celebrate your first place win. Being the top winner twice is no small achievement. Dear Susan, hearty Congratulations on finishing the Marathon as the top runner. Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM Dearest Valsa, my soulful poet friend, thank you for your return visit and for sharing your humbling thoughts that touch me deeply. I’m so proud to share the podium with you. Indeed, your golden pen spills amazing ink that should be recognized and celebrated. Let us celebrate, together, the power of poetry to forge friendships, inspiration and appreciation. Your kindness and heartwarming congrats are held close to my heart. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend.. ~Susan

Speaks Volumes November 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM Have told you before that I hold you in high regard as the best poet on Soup (and beyond) and winning the marathon just confirms it. Yet another amazing poem Susan Sincere Congratulations. Susan Ashley November 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM Dear Wendy, I’m honored and humbled by your kindness. There are so many fine and talented poets here at the Soup and you are among the very best poets here. Your sincere congratulations mean the world, my poet friend. Thank you, it’s wonderful to see you! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich November 21, 2025 at 8:35 PM A clear winning poem and congrats on being the number one marathon winner Susan Ashley November 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM Dear Andrea, thank you for your lovely congrats and for your kindness. It was wonderful to run the many miles with you. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Michael Coy November 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM Dear Susan, I salute you! You're a worthy champ. The beauty of this particular competition is that, over so many episodes and so much time, there's no hiding place. Talent alone counts. I'll deal with my "faraway ache" and acknowledge your wonderful achievement. Well done, poet! Michael Susan Ashley November 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM Dear Michael, I'm humbled by your kindness. Thank you of your treasured thoughts. They mean so much to me coming from you, a grand poet of rich depth and high quality. I'd like to acknowledge your wonderful achievement as well. Congratulations for your excellent marathon performance and wonderful final placement. I'm honored to have run the many miles with you. Your fantastic poetic artistry never fails to amaze me. Warmest wishes, dear poet.. ~Susan

David Crandall November 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM Back for congratulations! Good to see you on top, as you're a truly expressive and skilled poet. Susan Ashley November 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM Dear David, thank you for your beautiful thoughts and kind congrats. I’m honored and humbled by your words. Your gracious visit and poetic friendship is appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ghairo Daniels November 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM Dear Susan ! I’m delighted on your overall First Placing in the 2025 Marathon. BIG Congratulations & warm hug. I align with Mark’s articulation of “Carefully crafted and never rash”. Your technique of combining craft with emotion is outstanding, to say the least. But mostly I salute you for the humility with which you write & your heartfelt kindness which shines through all your poems I have read. Know that you are an inspiration & motherly presence. Ghairo Xx Susan Ashley November 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM Dear Ghairo, I relish your gracious visit and revel in your kindness! I’m honored and humbled by your heartfelt words that warm my heart so, and especially moved by “motherly presence”. Your precious thoughts are beautiful to behold and your big congrats are treasured. Thank you, my sweet poet friend, you and your golden poetic pen are an inspiration too! Warmest wishes to you.. ~Susan

Mark Toney November 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM Susan, congratulations on your winning First Place overall in my 2025 Poetry Marathon FINAL, and the Spirit of the Marathon Award! That means back-to-back (2022, 2025) Marathon wins for you! Thank you so much for contributing to the success of the contest. The poems of the 37 Qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post. Time to take off those running shoes and give those feet a rest! Susan Ashley November 24, 2025 at 5:53 AM Dear Mark, whew! What a ride, or shall I say, what a run!! Thank you for your amazing sponsorship overseeing the many miles and runners and poems.. you make it all so much fun! Congratulations to you, my poet friend, and to all the poetry marathoners! Your marathon contest allows so many poems to share the spotlight in a dazzling display of artistry and skill. Thank you for the honor of my placement in the final contest and for the Spirit of the Marathon Award. I am deeply touched and truly appreciative. Kickin back and putting my feet up now :)) Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

William Kelii Kekaula October 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM The pains and ills of the war-torn, the plagues of the mind of a kid, are replayed in the start of adulthood, let alone the traumatizing ventures of a teen’s life. Heart-shattering and sad. My belated compliments on your honorable trophy win, my friend. Aloha. Susan Ashley October 31, 2025 at 7:54 AM Dear William, I'm touched by the your heartfelt comments. The beauty of empathy shines through the spirit of your words. Thank you for sharing in the "Heart-shattering and sad" imagery and emotions of this poem with me. Your insightful comments are treasured. Warmest wishes and aloha, my poet friend.. ~Susan

John Hamilton October 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM Heartbreakingly great writing as only you can do Sue. Congrats on your win a worthy winner for sure. So many great phrases too numerous to relate. Yes you're right 8 billion of us has failed them. Susan Ashley October 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM Dear John, my talented poet friend, thank you for sharing in the emotions and imageries of this poem with me. Your thoughts and kind congrats are held in my deepest appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ann Peck October 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM Dearest Susan, Your beautiful, yet heart-wrenching poem says what we've wanted to say. It aches with truth of our severe neglect of starving, bomb-weary children and parents who watch them die. Congratulations on your great win! Susan Ashley October 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM Dear Ann, my wonderful poet friend, it's great to see you! I hope all is well. Thank you for your gracious visit and compassionate response to me poem. The beauty of your empathy shines. Your kind congrats are received with appreciation and your poetry friendship is treasured. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ghairo Daniels October 5, 2025 at 6:44 AM Susan ! Apologies 4 only reading your winner now. Packed with Darknesses of human life & its casualties. I cannot say which line impacted most, since all are intricately woven together to make a complete tapestry & tribute to children in midst of what we have 2 traverse together. In writing this, know that U have not failed any, each of 8 billion are contracted with “war children” 2 play a role, 2 pierce our Hearts, which poem has succeeded in doing. Salute ! happy Mark recognised this gem,Love. Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM Dear Ghairo, my esteemed poet friend, no need for apologies.. it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagery of this poem with me. I fail to understand why humans have not evolved beyond the hellish barbarism of war. And I'll never understand the apathy of world leaders who have the power and means to intervene, but don't. It's beyond being universally heartbreaking! Your comments touch and inspire me deeply. Thank you for your treasured thoughts. They are received with gratitude, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

JC Brul October 2, 2025 at 9:58 PM Full-packed with fine imagery, this mesmerizing poem will live forever. Congratulations dear Susan for this well-deserved trophy win. A fave for me. ^____^ JCB Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:28 PM Dear JCB, my esteemed poet friend, It's wonderful to see you! Your precious thoughts mean so much to me. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagery of this poem with me. My heart aches for the suffering of the innocents wherever there are armed conflicts. Both your kind congrats and the honor your fave is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

David Crandall October 2, 2025 at 7:54 PM This really brings home the plight of children of war, making it real (well, of course it's real, but bringing the reality to the reader poetically). Great poem, what I high level of expression you've achieved. What kind of world do we live in? Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:24 PM Dear David, you ask such a thought-provoking question; "What kind of world do we live in?" I think we can agree that it's a heartrending world when children die needlessly, most heinously, for the ambitions of a few at the top of the food chain. The apathy displayed is atrocious! Our question should be, "what kind of a world do we want to live in?" I think we know that living in peace would be mutually beneficial to all, When, if ever, will human evolve to this level of existence? Thank you for your heartfelt response to my poem. Your thoughts are treasured. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Len Gasun October 1, 2025 at 11:55 PM Such an excellent masterpiece my dear poet friend Susan! Let's keep on praying for those poor children who're victims of war. It's the greatest help that we could extend including this wonderful tribute poem to them. Thank you so much for sharing this precious gem and my warmest Congratulations on your throphy win! God bless you abundantly. Hugs Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM Dear Len, my wonderful poet friend, your precious thoughts touch and inspire me. Thank you for your heartfelt response to my poem and for your kind congrats. Indeed, war zone children need prayers, but they also need world leaders to step up and apply pressure to stop wars instead of enabling governments to perpetuate ongoing conflicts. My heart aches for the suffering of the innocents wherever there are armed conflicts. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Unseeking Seeker October 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM So brilliantly and poignantly portrayed, Susan. You have brought out the sheer madness of war and the irreparable tragedy that results, innocent children being the hapless victims, laid to waste by apathy of mankind as a collective. Congratulations on your trophy win, thanks for sharing. This message needs to go out to all the world leaders. Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM Dear US, I'll never understand why humans wage war on each other, especially when humanity's most vulnerable pay the heaviest price. I cannot understand why humans have not evolved beyond this hellish barbarism yet. And I'll never understand the apathy of world leaders who have the power and means to intervene, but don't. It's heartrending! Your comments touch me deeply. Thank you for your treasured thoughts and for your kind congrats. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich October 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM Congratulations on a trophy win. A very profound poem written with wisdom and compassion Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:04 PM Dear Andrea, thank you for your heartwarming congrats. Thank you for sharing in the imagery and emotions of this poem with me. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Beata Agustin September 30, 2025 at 12:28 AM Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... so wisdom-filled, and verily awakening. As one who ministers to children in our church orphanage, I am with you, while praying for children in war zones. God bless you. Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM Dear Beata, my poet friend, your empathetic heart shines through your compassionate response to my poem and your mercy work with orphan children in your church. Indeed, war zone children need all our heartfelt prayers. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Regina Elliott September 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM Dear Susan, an epic tragic poem of war’s most innocent victims, the children. Your mournful penning is so monumental it defies description. Congratulations on your much deserved win on this very sad and painful calamity that humankind has wrought throughout the centuries. Autumnal blessings to you and your family. ~ Susan Ashley October 5, 2025 at 11:54 AM Dear Regina, it's wonderful to see you! Indeed, I knew this poem would resonate deeply within your heart and soul, as empathetic/compassionate as you are to the suffering of others, especially children. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me. Your shining poetic presence and kind congrats are truly appreciated, my dear poet friend.. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

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