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Gossiping With Zephyrs

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Written: July 19, 2017

~ Second Place ~

Contest: A July Etheree Poetry Contest

Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich

*Included in PoetrySoup's anthology, Reflections on the Important Things, published on November 15, 2023

Green! Alive on tall grass, blithe, lithe, limber, swaying long and lean in their beachy masses. The deadpan sand eavesdrops as breezes wave blades like silk banners. Whispers whir with emerald voices; long-winded grass gossiping with zephyrs.

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Paul Callus

Date: 8/3/2023 2:27:00 AM

It was a pleasure coming back to read this delightful poem once again, Susan. I confirm my original comments and at the same time realize that it is even richer than I remembered it! ~ Congratulations on your worthy podium finish. Warm regards & Hugs my friend. // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/3/2023 7:50:00 AM

Dear Paul, through the magic of a more experienced pen and a tweak or two of re-editing this poem has grown like the July beach grass that inspires me. Your return visit and heartwarming congrats inspire me too! So glad to see you my friend. I hope the large clump of reeds behind your back window continues to thrive! Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 8/2/2023 2:25:00 PM

I love how evocative of the beach marshes this feels, especially 'blithe lithe limber' and 'emerald voices' - congratulations on your win~

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/2/2023 5:29:00 PM

Dear Michelle, indeed, it was one of my many visits to an Audubon trail along a beach marsh that inspired this poem. I relish the ocean and the beach marshes in my area and wanted to capture the tranquil spirit and joy of this special place in this piece. Thank you for gracing my poem with your lovely presence. Your precious thoughts and kind congrats are both truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sara Kendrick

Date: 7/29/2023 12:20:00 PM

Congratulations on this winning work. Way to go. Sara

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/29/2023 1:22:00 PM

Dear Sara, thank you. I appreciate your kind congrats and wonderful visit. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Christuraj Alex

Date: 7/29/2023 12:28:00 AM

"The deadpan sand eavesdrops" - each image is beautiful. Congratulations!

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/29/2023 1:20:00 PM

Dear Christuraj, thank you for both your heartwarming comments and kind congrats. Your visit is a delight! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Kim Merryman

Date: 7/28/2023 3:13:00 PM

Such creative imagery! Fantastic! Congrats on your win, Susan! Blessings, Kim M

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/28/2023 5:57:00 PM

Dear Kim, thank you for both your heartwarming comments and kind congrats. Your visit is a delight! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/28/2023 10:46:00 AM

Beautiful and creative imagery. I nearly placed it as a tie with first. Anyway. Love this one. Congrats on the win.

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/28/2023 5:52:00 PM

Dear Andrea, thank for the honor of my poem’s placement in your wonderful contest. So many great etherees! Your comments and heartwarming congrats are truly appreciated! Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/28/2023 5:18:00 AM

Such a nice July mix of imagery! Congratulations, Susan!

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/28/2023 7:10:00 AM

Dear Kim, thank you for both your wonderful comment and kind congrats! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Janice Canerdy

Date: 7/27/2023 7:13:00 PM

Very effective use of personification! CONGRATS on your well-deserved win, Susan! Janice

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/28/2023 7:10:00 AM

Dear Janice, thank you for both your wonderful comment and kind congrats! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman

Date: 7/27/2023 5:03:00 PM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, I was absolutely delighted to see this on the winners list. Congratulations poetry sis! Have missed you! This poem is like having a conversation with summer in all its "blithe, lithe"...leanness. Just am in awe of "deadpan sand eavesdrops." Your poetic spirit soars in every image! You leave me speechless and so grateful to read your wondrous poetry. Sending you blessings on emerald whispers of summer joy, dear friend!

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/28/2023 7:20:00 AM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, I am lifted to beyond the July cumulus on the elation and gratitude of receiving your inspiring comments! You never fail to bring the sunshine to my page and to my heart, my dear poetry sis. I have missed you too and your amazing poems! I hope to have more time coming up to get caught up with reading your poetic gems! Thank you, sweet Sam, for the beauty of your thoughts. Our spirits soar together through skies of creative realms. Warmest wishes sent on the whispers of playful zephyrs. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 3/24/2020 10:49:00 PM

How I love the beach and I love your poetry Susan, so this is a match made in heaven! I was smiling at "blithe, lithe, limber", smelling sea salt at "air swishing through their lively blades", but was hanging ten when I read "long-winded grass gossiping with zephyrs." Pure poetic pleasure, my dear friend!

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/26/2020 10:31:00 AM

Oh, how I love the beach grass and their mesmerizing sway, John. Thank you for sharing your precious feelings with me about your love for the beach. I too, have had a love affair with the beach since my earliest recollections.. my Dad and I are born beach bums! I'm so pleased to know you were smiling at "blithe, lithe, limber", as your beautiful comments had me smiling as well! :)) I have 2 other Etherees about the beach too; 'Alabaster Wings' and 'Aqua Appeal' that may appeal to you also, dear poet. Warmest wishes, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 12/17/2017 4:53:00 AM

I love the image you projected with this lovely Etheree, Susan. One can see and feel the movement of the personified grass in collaboration with the wind. This reminds me of a large clump of reeds which there is behind my back window! ~ Warm regards // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/17/2017 1:01:00 PM

Paul, I love the seashore and this was written after a walk on the beach on a beautiful July day with my husband, Bill. I have a few Etherees that reflect our times at the beach :) Your visit and comments are sunny and delightful like that summer day and I'm glad we share a warm regard for reeds and beach grass :) Thank you and warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 10/26/2017 4:05:00 PM

Oh my dear Susan, what a beautiful piece this is in form, flow, and imagery! Outstanding, my friend as only you could have penned it! Love it! Hugs and love. Pandita

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2017 6:50:00 PM

My dear friend Pandita, I receive your beautiful comment with much joy and appreciation. I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem, and your wonderfully kind words have put a smile on my face this evening. Thank you for your lovely friendship... Hugs and love to you always.. ~Susan

Bernard Chan

Date: 9/19/2017 3:56:00 PM

Beautiful imagery, Susan! Blithe, lithe, limber and emerald voices are especially great. But that last line with the grass gossiping with zephyrs is just a stunner - vivid, whimsical and inspired! This and your sunset swims to shore in Fire-Water Dance are two of my fav lines on Soup :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 9/19/2017 7:31:00 PM

Thank you Bernard for your glowing comment and you kind visit. Your appreciation for my poem is really heartwarming to me especially when you pointed out that two of your fav lines on Soup are the last lines of this poem and Fire-Water Dance.., I'm speechless.., but smiling with joy! Thank you my friend so very much for touching me with your kindnes :)