Home » Poems » Susan Ashley » In Woes and Throes of Sorrow

Susan Ashley | + Follow Poet |

In Woes and Throes of Sorrow

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Susan Ashley.

composed November 18, 2017

*simba: noun; an E African word for lion - Dictionary.Com

~ Sixth Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 19
Sponsor: Mark Toney

~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: Best Sonnet
Sponsor: Laura Loo

~ Second Place ~
Contest: Your Best Sonnet October 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Sponsor: John Hamilton

~ Poem Of The Day ~
November 18, 2017

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

_________________________________________________________________________

I rise and fall like melancholy tides in ebb and flow of wistful disrepair, our separate in consciousness divides, the whiff of grief fills broken-hearted air. Neglected now, heartstrings' rawhide, I mourn with briny beads that water my dismay, eyes teary drizzled mist, inside forlorn, my psyche pierced by thorns in love's bouquet. Whatever will I do, this emptiness..? A gnawing hollow where my heart should be. My lonely preys me like a lioness, a simba stalks this lost love refugee. Soft morning sun does gaze into my eyes enlightening the depths of agonize.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Sam Kauffman

Date: 11/15/2022 10:33:00 AM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, congratulations on your win with this poem and its rich texture of grieving images - "briny beads," "psyche pierced by thorns in love's bouquet," "gnawing hollow where my heart should be." Your poems always leave me breathless as I stand in awe at the innovative and rich use of language poetry sis! How blessed am I to share in the richness that flows from each of your lines! Sending you blessings on the sweet scent of roses dear friend!

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/20/2022 8:20:00 AM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, the beauty of your poetry is only surpassed by the beauty of your shining heart. I stand in awe of you, Sam, for all the support you give to me and so many other poets here and for your sparkling poetic gift! I am honored by your generous and uplifting comments. Your heartfelt and heartwarming words are so encouraging in persuading me to explore the edges of the poetic page even further with my humble pen. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this poem, my sweet poetry sis, as this poem was an important step in the learning process of composing sonnets and developing imagery. I am blessed to share in poetic fellowship with you! Wishing you a cornucopia full of blessings.. warmth, goodness, the flavors and scents of the harvest season and hugs and laughs with family and friends near and far.. and during this Thanksgiving season may I express my gratitude for you, my dear friend <3 <3 <3 ~Susan

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 11/14/2022 10:45:00 PM

Aw... what an inspiring creation in Sonnet form from a great poetic mind..."the whiff of grief fills broken hearted air".... Loved this line and many more lines... You have been/are/will be always a great inspiration for me in my poetic journey my dearest Susan... Congratulations and hugs... ~ Ani

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/20/2022 8:02:00 AM

Dearest Ani, I treasure your gracious visit and beautiful comments. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. That we can inspire each other is the greatest gift we poets can so generously share, and just know that your exquisite heart and poetry is so very inspiring to me as well. Both your friendship and your artistry are cherished! Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 11/13/2022 11:08:00 PM

Dear PS-PS, your free verse always bedazzles and bewitches my poetry-hungry soul, for you always convert real, raw emotions into crafted creations of linguistic perfection as so few can. But oh my. When you distill your talent into such a sonnet of exquisite cadence and pathos, you take this heart to another level. "My psyche pierced by thorns in love's bouquet". Wow, and congrats. Another tear-saturated standing ovation, sis. Going in my Faves for safe-keeping. Your admiring PoBro. [Oh, and a tip of the cap for your POTD, almost 5 years ago to the day!]

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/16/2022 9:20:00 AM

Dearest PoBro, your poetic talent, whether in my comment box or on your own golden poetry pages, never fails to bedazzle and bewitch my appreciative soul as well. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for allowing your heart to ride the rhythmic pathos to another level! Your words leave me breathless and I bow in humble appreciation. The wealth of your friendship and honor of your fav are both treasured, John, and thank you for your notice of POTD almost 5 years ago to the day, only your perceptive nature would catch that :)) Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~your PS-PS <3

Mark Massey

Date: 11/13/2022 8:04:00 AM

Such a word master, your writing is on another level, Susan…there are but a few on this sight (or anywhere) that can pen like this, but no one that can do it as consistently as you. I am not only impressed, but jealous. Congrats as well.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/13/2022 9:40:00 AM

Dear Mark, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled by your generous assessment, especially since you are one of my most favorite poets. Your beautiful thoughts touch me very deeply, you have no idea how much I appreciate them, they are very uplifting. You are one of the poets here that I look up to, for your inspired poet's heart brims with emotional and imaginative beauty that spills upon the page, and the poetic page and this reader are always thankful for your exquisite artistry. Thank you, Mark, for your heartwarming comments and kind congrats. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Mark Toney

Date: 11/11/2022 9:12:00 AM

Susan, I feel so sad when I read this poem, but I am so happy afterward. Your tragic sonnet contains pithy fragments of phrases artfully crafted to fit together seamlessly. You could actually take those phrases and make an entire poem from each of them. Modular poetry, as it were :) A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your win on Mile 19 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on because Mile 20 has already started.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/11/2022 9:29:00 AM

Dear Mark, that you deeply felt the emotions of this poem thrills me. It is indeed an honor for my poem to place on your winner's list and to share the podium with the gifted poets also listed. Thank you for the distinction of your fav and for your amazing comments. Your precious insights are cherished. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Janice Canerdy

Date: 11/11/2022 7:39:00 AM

Susan, your excellent sonnet vividly describes the power of deep grief. CONGRATS on your win. Janice

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/11/2022 7:55:00 AM

Thank you for your gracious visit, Janice. Both your lovely words and heartwarming congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Aamena Kazi

Date: 2/4/2021 3:00:00 PM

It s v.lovely poem.keep writing..

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2021 12:04:00 PM

Dear Aamena, thank you for spending time with an older poem and for your wonderfully uplifting comment. Please accept my apologies for my late reply. Life's obligations have kept me away from the Soup for the last few months. I will explore your poetry page very soon. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/21/2018 4:07:00 PM

Congrats on your silver medal finish, Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/21/2018 5:56:00 PM

Thank you so much for your kind congrats, Line. Your wonderful words and your sweetness for spending some time with this poem is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Vladislav Raven

Date: 3/4/2018 8:17:00 PM

Hi Susan, a wonderful Sonnet to read. It flows so easy and the words paint such strong imagery. I know it sounds strange to say but i enjoyed reading your sadness for it did touch me deep. An excellent, well written Sonnet Susan. This one goes into my faves. Have a wonderful Monday. Hugs....Mike. XX

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2018 6:28:00 PM

Hi Mike, your visit truly is delightful! I'm so happy you enjoyed my sad write. Like you, I enjoy reading other poets' deeply touching sad poems too.. Thank you for reading and commenting so wonderfully on my sonnet and for sharing your precious thoughts with me.. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

John Hamilton

Date: 3/4/2018 12:22:00 PM

Wonderful again for the 3 or 4 read, truly a masterpiece, gnawing hollow where my heart should be, just...WOW!!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2018 6:19:00 PM

Thank you John for your return visits to read my poem again. I truly relish your appreciation of my write. Your visit is always a delight my friend. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Subimal Sinha-Roy

Date: 3/4/2018 5:50:00 AM

Congratulations, Susan on your wonderful win with such a flowing sonnet.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2018 6:21:00 PM

Your wonderful comments and kindhearted congrats are cherished, Subimal. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Eve Roper

Date: 3/3/2018 10:20:00 PM

Congratulations on your win.. wonderful imagery ...

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 10:35:00 PM

Thank you Eve for the delight of your visit. Your lovely comments and kindhearted congrats are cherished. Warmest wishes my friend! ~Susan

Line Gauthier

Date: 3/3/2018 12:08:00 PM

Lovely, Susan. Congrats on your win.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 6:30:00 PM

Your lovely comment and heartfelt congrats are truly appreciated Line. Thank you! ~Susan

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 3/3/2018 10:59:00 AM

Glorious sonnet, Susan. Congrats on your win.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 6:32:00 PM

Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts with me Dale. Your wonderful comments and heartwarming congrats are truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Sandra Haight

Date: 3/3/2018 10:37:00 AM

Such deep sadness is felt in your poem, Susan, which is so beautifully and exquisitely written in perfect Iambic Pentameter, required for a true Sonnet. Congratulations on your well-deserved podium win. Hugs, Sandra

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 6:49:00 PM

Sandra, thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me. Your lovely comments mean the world to me and I truly appreciate your encouragement and support. Your friendship and kind congrats are cherished my friend. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Carrie Richards

Date: 3/3/2018 10:17:00 AM

This poem is a heartbreaker......beautifully written ! Congrats to you, Susan!

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 6:36:00 PM

Thank you Carrie for sharing your wonderful comments with me and for your heartwarming congrats. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

John Gondolf

Date: 3/3/2018 9:50:00 AM

Susan, once again, congrats for your win with this beautifully written sonnet. John

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 6:44:00 PM

Thank you John for sharing your wonderful comments with me and for your heartfelt congrats. Your encouragement and support means the world to me.. Warmest wishes my friend. ~Susan

Lu Loo

Date: 3/3/2018 9:39:00 AM

wow! Loved every word sweet Susan! You write so beautifully with such ease. thank you and congratulations on your placement :)-luloo

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2018 6:41:00 PM

Thank you for your lovely comments Luloo and for the honor of my wonderful placement in your contest. Your sponsorship is truly appreciated and your contest was a joy to participate in. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Charlie Smith

Date: 1/12/2018 2:42:00 PM

Back for another pat on the back Dear Susan...

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/12/2018 4:09:00 PM

Thank you so much, dear Charlie for the return visit and the much appreciated pat on the back :) Warmest wishes always, my friend ~Susan

Elaine George

Date: 1/12/2018 10:38:00 AM

Congratulations on your win, Susan! Heart-wrenching sonnet. Elaine

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/12/2018 4:07:00 PM

Elaine, your heartwarming comments and kind congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Lu Loo

Date: 1/11/2018 10:36:00 AM

oh Susan, how lovely...congrats :)-luloo

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/11/2018 5:17:00 PM

Laura, I truly appreciate your wonderful comment, kindhearted congrats and the delight of your visit. Warmest wishes ~Susan

John Gondolf

Date: 1/11/2018 8:31:00 AM

Susan, I love this sonnet now as much as the first time I read it. Congrats my dear friend! John

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/11/2018 5:19:00 PM

John, your sweet comments just warms my heart. Thank you so much for your lovely sentiments and the delight of your kind visit and congrats. Warmest wishes my dear friend.. ~Susan

Barry Stebbings

Date: 1/11/2018 5:00:00 AM

Congratulations on your win, Susan. This such a well expressed sonnet on lost love. // Barry

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/11/2018 5:14:00 PM

Thank you, Barry for your beautiful comments, kindhearted congrats and the delight of your visit.. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Subimal Sinha-Roy

Date: 1/10/2018 10:21:00 PM

Congratulations, Susan on your fine win.

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/11/2018 5:12:00 PM

Thank you, Subimal for your kindhearted congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/10/2018 4:40:00 PM

This is so lovely Susan! Mourning the loss of love. Brilliantly written! Congratulations on your second placement! : )

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/10/2018 7:20:00 PM

Connie, your wonderful words of acclaim are truly appreciated and warms my heart. Thank you for your lovely comments and your kind congrats. Warmest wishes ~Susan