Notes About The Poem

August- 28-2025

Marathon Mile. No .11. Poetry Contest

Sponsor- Mark Toney

~ Placed Seventh~


 

In Wait

She still smiled,
even when she knew,
life looped over her, 
like a hangman’s noose.
Imagined it was a melody she heard,
in the rising cadence of a dirge.

But…in her laughter was the echo,
of smothered sighs, shot involuntary,
from the corked up bottle of her heart.
In a hilarious company, she languished
like a cockle in the shell.

Seemed so calm
when a sizzling inferno burnt within!
Tears, long held back
froze and hardened within her eye pits.
Now a total stranger to herself!

On the beach, as the sunset hurled ecstasy
across the skies, she only saw the virulent waves
lashing on the shore and their tug, inviting.
On the way back, with an eerie interest,
she watched water lilies, 
withering away in pools and ponds! 

Neither cursed nor moaned
over her soiled identity;
but wondered why only discordant tunes
now came out from her flute
on which, once her rehearsed lips
created such harmonious melody!

Under her calm demeanor,
was veiled craftily the anguish of a life time.

Yet in pitch darkness,
counting the luminous stars in the firmament, 
she lay-
a seed in wait
under furrowed lands
for the first summer shower!


(This is the sad story, I happened to hear of a woman who contrived AIDS from her lecherous husband who was a truck driver! But she put up a brave fight! I don’t know if she is still alive. It is so sad that often innocents have to suffer in life!)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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Date: 9/6/2025 10:43:00 AM
Dearest Valsa, your poem is exceptionally beautiful in its poignant poetic expression. Your imagery is rich, deep, emotional and intimate.. beautiful in its sadness as the personal tragedy unfurls. I especially loved "as the sunset hurled ecstasy across the skies, she only saw the virulent waves/lashing on the shore and their tug, inviting" -so haunting, so powerful visually (in my mind) and emotionally. Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my dear poet friend.. ~Susan
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Date: 8/29/2025 6:58:00 PM
Valsa, this is a poignant portrayal of loss and inner strength. “She still smiled, even when she knew …” “ Under her calm demeanor, was veiled craftily the anguish of a life time.” Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 11 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 12 has already started.
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George Avatar
Valsa George
Date: 8/29/2025 9:25:00 PM
I feel so thrilled. Thanks a lot dear Mark for the placement given. The story of that poor girl had touched my mind so deeply that I had no difficulty in writing it with genuine feelings.
Date: 8/28/2025 8:19:00 AM
So many tragedies in the world. This one is expressed with great imagery. An impressive write, Valsa
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Date: 8/28/2025 1:59:00 AM
This world is infected with the evil of humans and it goes both ways really. What can one do but hope for some cure. Great poem.
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Date: 8/27/2025 11:53:00 PM
There are many such sad stories. In Africa a lot of women can't breast feed their newborns because of AIDS, & they have nothing else, plus more heartbreaking stories. I have to shake that off so I can tell you that I really got into your imagery, it is exquisite without losing the reader - you continue a coherent thread to its conclusion all the while painting with your words. I hope you do well in the whatever mile you put this in. Wonderful poem. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
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