Notes About The Poem

January 28, 2023

~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: Poetry In A Glimpse This Year
Sponsor: Ink Empress

~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 26
Sponsor: Mark Toney


 

How Do I Hold the Wind

On the edge of silence 
beyond mossy-muffled stone walls
a wind chime chants—faint
like falling sparkles of stars;
honeyed musings 
of a wind-spirit on the move,
west to east 
a bridge of broken chords. 
Cosmic animation 
stirs my domestic pulsation. 
In a supple sweep 
from beyond the western dusk,
soft notes jangle in sweet saunter—
so like you,
an angel’s riff on an airy whiff. 

O wind chanter, 
I hear your chimes 
as I linger
in undying love for him   
…yes
I hear you, singer!
Sing to me of his approach! 
For alone, 
on the cold stone of a lifeless dusk, 
I mourn the most.

Like a moth vibrating 
around the lantern’s glow,
I feel the brush of his touch 
amid breezy flutters;
flirtations
with a long blonde tress 
and the white frills 
of my nightdress. 

O bittersweet enchantment!
O wild yet tender wind—O embracing visitor!

But how do I hold you? 
How do I hold the wind, my love?
Always!  Always!
You slip away 
on blank paper wings!
My human nature aspires to fly 
but my every heartbeat; rib-caged. 
Ironclad in mortal armor. 
Obliged to the grasp of gravity’s greed.

Damn the bane of my spirit’s capture
and love’s coupled yoke 
that did not die with you!
Damn the bane of my lifeblood 
bound to its artery stream bed!
Though my lovelorn river 
pulses with throbs of a tide robbed
not even a river’s rapture 
can compete with the thrills 
of your unbound freedom—
oh death’s freedom!

The ringing sleigh-bell singing 
of spring peepers intrudes
O wind chanter, distant wind chime, 
your tinsel talk fades.
He is lost to me again—
   Lost!
              Lost
                          lost….
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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12
Carmack Avatar
July 4, 2026 at 8:36 AM
I am glad to have had this in my contest. I am also glad to see all the comments others have left. Most deserved recognition. Congratulations on your placement and thank you blessing my contest with this poem.
Baker Avatar
December 11, 2023 at 9:37 PM
Congratulations on the two Second place honor, Suze. This is an amazing poem. A FAV for my list. I can't believe I missed this one. I'm glad I came back looking and found it. A very passionate poem, I love this line, "My human nature aspires to fly but my every heartbeat caged ironclad in mortal armor obliged in the grasp of gravity’s greed." Brilliant, my friend. the whole poem was beautiful, and the closing was exquisite. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill
Ashley Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 6:37 PM
Dear Bill, I am heartened by your gracious visit and beautiful comments. They are received with joy and appreciation. I'm so glad to know you love that line.. I really love that line too. Thank you for sharing your inspiring thoughts with me and for the high honor of your fav. I am humbled by your kindness. Warmest wishes, I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend.. ~Suze
Poet Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 11:54 AM
My utmost regard is directed towards you, Susan. My deepest best congratulations! Your poetic writing wafts through the air like autumn leaves on a windy day, and with each line, you make a compelling case for the immortal love that knows no bounds. This tribute to the unbeknownst highlights the essence of the beauty of a love that outshines the physical world. This is a fave for me. And thanks for your comment and support on my page
Ashley Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 6:32 PM
Dear Lasaad, I relish your beautiful comments and gracious visit. Thank you, my friend, for spending time with my poem and for expressing your uplifting thoughts in such a considerate way. I am honored by your fave of my poem. Your poetry is always exceptional! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 11:10 AM
BIG congrats on your podium win, Susan. You deserve all the accolades, my friend. Splendid write as always.
Ashley Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 6:27 PM
Dear Vijay, my wonderful poetry friend, thank you for your uplifting words and for your kind congrats. They are truly appreciated, as are your splendid poems, dear poet! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Puddifoot Avatar
December 8, 2023 at 6:56 AM
i'm sure i've commented on this one before; i'm not surprised it's placed so high given the stunning lines, so congrats on another worthy winner! and thank you for commenting on my work; your lovely, in depth comments are always treasured :)
Ashley Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 11:38 AM
Dear Charlotte, indeed you have commented on this poem before. I'm delighted by your return visit. Your inspiring comments are cherished as are your kind congrats. Thank you, dear poetess. You are one of my favorite poets here, your elite poetic gift knows no bounds and I am ever enthralled by your golden pen. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Rodgers Avatar
December 7, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Dear Susan, Congrats! your words dance like leaves in a tempest, each line a testament to the enduring spirit of love that refuses to be tamed by the confines of existence. In this ode to the intangible, you capture the essence of longing and the poignant beauty of a love transcending the physical realm. ??? - Blessings, Daniel
Ashley Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Dear Daniel, it's a joy and an honor to receive your beautiful comments and kind congrats. Thank you, Daniel, your shining presence here is inspiring and is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
One Avatar
December 7, 2023 at 4:07 AM
Deep poetry, I would placed this one first personally... Congratulations on your placement in this contest.
Ashley Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 8:49 AM
Dear Silent One, my poetry friend, your kindness is truly appreciated. Your poem Final Resting Place is a moving beauty and deserved the top spot. Thank you for your heartwarming words of congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Empress Avatar
December 7, 2023 at 1:24 AM
Dear susan, i had to literally catch my breath as i read this brilliant poem, its beyond beautiful and breathtakingly profound. Your wordplay and emotions and the flow of your lines truly blew me away. This is definitely a new fave for me and i must also highlight the opening in this. It was very hard for me to choose between this and silent ones. You both deserved a first place. Everything in this poem is sheer art! Thank you for supporting my contest. Congratulations on your well deserved win
Ashley Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 8:44 AM
Dear Ink Empress, I am both thrilled and humbled by your comments. Thank you for the honor of my poem's placement in your esteemed contest. Silent One's poem was extraordinary . That you see my poem as "sheer art" is exhilarating! Your inspiration, kindness and heartwarming congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Volumes Avatar
December 7, 2023 at 12:43 AM
Susan this is a truly amazing poem. Such a pleasure to read. It invokes images so real that lends me to feel shivers.. I adored this. Thank you so much. Congrats on your place in the contest. Well deserved.
Ashley Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 8:38 AM
Dear SV, I'm so glad to know you could feel my poem. As a poet, it's very rewarding to know this. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts and warm congrats with me, they are held in my truest appreciation as is your shining friendship. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Lindley Avatar
June 5, 2023 at 10:53 AM
Magnificent poetry my dear friend. I stand i awe of this new creation. Truly, every stanza pure gold. A joy to read. You pulled out all the stops with this gem. A definitive fav too. God bless.
Ashley Avatar
July 4, 2023 at 8:47 AM
Dear Robert, I'm elated by your response to this poem! Stylistically, it was a step forward in a new direction for me and I embraced the inspiration that spurred this piece. Thank you for seeing the artistic and expressive value in this poem. Your appreciation of this poetic work and the honor of your fav are both treasured. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
Schiavina Avatar
May 14, 2023 at 7:11 AM
Splendor of poetry. A classic!
Ashley Avatar
May 14, 2023 at 7:23 AM
Dear Francis, your gracious visit is truly appreciated as are your lovely comments. Thank you! I'm so glad to know you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 6, 2023 at 10:43 AM
Hello Susan, oh my gosh! this is such a beautiful poem you created. it will be my fav./Darlene\
Ashley Avatar
April 21, 2023 at 6:54 AM
Dear Darlene, I relish your lovely comments and the honor of your fav. Thank you, my wonderful friend! Please accept my apologies for my late reply but life has been keeping me very busy and active and unfortunately away from PS and lovely friends like you :) Your sunny presence is uplifting! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Callus Avatar
April 2, 2023 at 2:25 AM
You might not hold the wind, Susan, but you certainly hold the key to his fascination, allure, inspiration and sensuality. You have learned to use imagery, metaphor and alliteration to your advantage with no hint of excess. Your words flow naturally, but that does not mean you don't give them much thought together with a quest for perfection. ~ Warm regards & Hugs my friend. // paul
Ashley Avatar
April 21, 2023 at 7:08 AM
Dear Paul, I revel in the spirit of your words and relish your uplifting critique! Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for sharing your esteemed thoughts. Please accept my late reply to your amazing remarks, life has been full and overflowing the brim in the most wonderful ways these days. Warmest wishes and hugs, my friend.. ~Susan
Goldsmith Avatar
March 22, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Another wonderful write/story. I really enjoyed this one. Have a great/blessed day.........................
Ashley Avatar
March 25, 2023 at 8:44 AM
Dearest Paula, thank you for your wonderful visit! I'm so happy to know you enjoyed my poem. Your lovely thoughts are treasured, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Brul Avatar
March 21, 2023 at 9:31 AM
This poem sails me to a realm of profound bliss. I'm gonna fave this to read again and again the years and years to come.
Ashley Avatar
March 25, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Dear JCB, I am ever so elated by your beautiful response to my poem. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and for the high honor of your fave. Both are held in my deepest appreciation. I relish your poetic friendship and amazing poetry, dear poetess. I hope all is well with you and yours. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Parker Avatar
March 19, 2023 at 10:25 AM
dear friend, dear poet your poetry even captures the wind in an enlightening image of imagination drifting in an invisible world to all with the delicate brush of your creation, so that all of us may see the many colors of your soul...Frederic
Ashley Avatar
March 25, 2023 at 9:09 AM
Dear friend, dear poet, your visit is appreciated! The gift of your friendship is held in my gratitude. Thank you, Frederic, for the grandeur of your expression. The many colors of your soul radiate in your lovely thoughts and endearing poetry. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Turner Avatar
March 18, 2023 at 6:56 AM
Wow Susan, you don't give the reader much time, Suddenly I was immersed by the flood of feelings from the wind chime(2 on my porch) and once drawn in could not leave. Masterclass poetry. Not sure you can hold the wind but you certainly captured him, if only for a verse. Very well done.
Ashley Avatar
March 25, 2023 at 9:17 AM
Dear Daniel, I'm elated to know that you felt "immersed" in the feelings of my poem. That I could capture your imagination within these verses is truly gratifying and I deeply appreciate your thoughts.. thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Watt Avatar
March 10, 2023 at 8:58 PM
Dearest Susan, this foray into the caves and caverns of your soul rings out with a thespian cadence, a dramaturge's delight, the rise and fall of emotion's waves, the surge and retreat of the spirit's cross currents. I rise with anticipation at "an angel’s riff on an airy whiff", but descend back to earth with "obliged in the grasp of gravity’s greed". I relish your lingual mastery and your exquisite humanity. Brava, dear sister, this is a Fav and it has touched me deeply ~ Your PoBro
Ashley Avatar
March 25, 2023 at 10:09 AM
Dear PoBro, both your poetry and your comments are appreciated; so expressive and so technically insightful, I relish your comments as much as I relish your esteemed poetry. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem. I am honored by both your friendship and your fav. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~your PS-PS
Lawrence Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 9:03 AM
Susan , of corse I had to Fav this ! Again it could be spoken on the open stage as many of your incredible poems can . Just magical! Xx :)
Ashley Avatar
March 6, 2023 at 8:16 AM
Dearest Susan, thank you, I am both humbled and honored by your faith in poem and for the distinction of your fav. Your thoughts are treasured and our sisterhood is cherished. I'm so pleased you were swept up in the mystical spirit of this poem.. I know moments like these are real if we are uncluttered and open to the experience. Love and hugs sent across the Universe to find you.. ~Susan
Lawrence Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 8:57 AM
Dearest Susan, My soul traveler, my poetic sister of heart and energy . Oh how I have missed your sensual words of love and loss with nuances that only you can convey with such grace. I am honored to journey inside of your heart in this exquisite song of love. Such hope as the dance reveals a reunion of the body, heart and mind if only for a fleeting few seconds before it is carried away . You are my inspiration dear friend .Sending love and light to you on white wings . Love and hugs, Susan :)
Ashley Avatar
March 6, 2023 at 8:10 AM
Dearest Susan, my poetic soul sister, time travel companion and lovely friend, the enchantment of our friendship and poetic pens lead us to explore realms as mystical as they are magical. Your inspiring presence here and the creative voice of your intuitive soulful poetry always deepens the experience. The cosmos has chosen to connect us through heart, soul and imagination.. a stroke of divine intervention! It is with gratitude that I receive your beautiful and insightful words into my heart.. thank you, my dear friend.. you are my inspiration too. May white wings filled with warmest wishes find and wrap around you. Love and hugs always.. ~Susan
Dietrich Avatar
February 15, 2023 at 5:22 PM
yep you won as i expected . i should have submitted something different. big congrats.
Ashley Avatar
February 17, 2023 at 9:27 PM
Dear Andrea, thank you! Your return visit and kind congrats are both truly appreciated. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan
Puddifoot Avatar
February 12, 2023 at 3:22 PM
this is another stunning poem from you; beautiful command of language..i agree with the comment below, it would make a wonderful stage monologue! congrats on your deserved win in the contest.:)
Ashley Avatar
February 13, 2023 at 9:15 PM
Dear Charlotte, you are a grand poet that I greatly admire, I am ever heartened to receive your wonderful words and heartwarming congrats. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Your inspiring presence is appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Kiser Avatar
February 12, 2023 at 2:06 PM
This is so beautiful I had to "fav" it. It has an ethereal energy that sends my spirit soaring when I read; a feel-good piece for certain; well done.
Ashley Avatar
February 13, 2023 at 9:09 PM
Dear M. L., your beautiful response to my poem and the honor of your fav sends my spirit soaring. Thank you for your uplifting presence, your gracious spirit touches me deeply. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Kendrick Avatar
February 12, 2023 at 11:05 AM
Congratulations on this winning work in Mark's contest. Way to go. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara
Ashley Avatar
February 13, 2023 at 9:06 PM
Dear Sara, thank you for your wonderful comment and kind congrats. You're welcome for my visit to your page. It's always a pleasure to visit you :) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
George Avatar
February 6, 2023 at 6:54 PM
"alone on the cold stone of a lifeless dusk I mourn..' Every word speaks to me of an unuttered pain of a loss you haven't divulged to many. The soft sibilance of the sigh that rises from your heart is made audible at the end... 'he is lost to me... lost'! The sound of wind chime at the edge of silence and its tender notes arouse in you the memories of someone so dear to your heart that the very thought of him quickens your palpitation. Throughout the poem I discern a melancholic note.Susan only you can convey the subtle nuances of pain in such alluring poetic language, so as to draw the readers to a state of spell binding awe. Congratulations dear sweet poet friend !I wait to receive you as the front runner with the trophy in your hand at the Marathon!
Ashley Avatar
February 13, 2023 at 9:04 PM
Dear Valsa, my wonderful and gifted poetry friend, your golden presence shines upon my poem and my heart. I am humbled and honored by your heartwarming response to my poem and for your uplifting congrats offered in poetic fellowship. Thank you for the pleasure of your gracious visit and for the generous kindness you bestow upon me and my poem. Your elegant comments are as inspiring as your exquisite poetry. With all the talented poets running in the marathon, it'll be such a treat to see who crosses the finish line first.. your confidence in me touches my heart, sweet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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