Susan Ashley Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Poet's note: There comes a time in life, a time of struggle and strife, when salvation may be sought; a deliverance from harm, pain or sin and its consequences - but instead, all that is found is false hope and no relief.  In times like these, there is a need to look more deeply. It's important to remember that no one can save you but yourself, along with your willingness to surrender and God.  This is my belief...

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Mirage of My Saving Grace

The black-as-widow’s-weeds night of endless stars 
was so cold...
cruel as temperature 
plunged its frigid fingers feeling through my being
fondling my heart and soul without mercy
molesting me - taunting my will to live
and just when I thought 
the ice water in my shivering veins would kill me

there she was

she came shyly at first 
demurely spreading 
her pinkening skirts over the horizon
while her blushing complexion 
deftly gelded the darkness
I prayed-I pleaded-I made deals 
(with who? you don’t want to know..)
that her warming smile would be my saving grace…

It began to slowly dawn on me
as she flexed her sinewy heat waves 
flaunting her solar power
that I was caught 
between false hope and no deliverance
for the desert sunrise-to-sunset 
now faced-off and challenged me
with barren bone-dry intensity
sucking dry the new dew 
and any life 
containing moisture

weathered granular remains 
of ancient feldspar and quartz
with eons of sifting and shifting boredom
took on a hell-raising life of their own
as the fire-breathing celestial sorceress casted spells 
of smoke and mirror mirages
and magically made ridges of rippling blond sands
glisten like scales of a million skimming sidewinders
writhing in joy at my agony—

it’s amazing 
how cold I feel when I have been so burned
again I face a desolate night 
— deserted —
without a blanket


Susan Ashley
April 29, 2018


Widow’s Weeds: For women of 19th century England, a custom of mourning that involved  wearing heavy, concealing, black clothing and the use of heavy veils of black crepe. The entire ensemble was colloquially known as ‘widow’s weeds’.
Mourning - Wikipedia

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Alesia Leach May 9, 2018 at 5:13 PM I love reading your poetry. Your imagery always astounds me and I must read it two or three times just to take it in. Susan Ashley May 15, 2018 at 10:40 AM Alesia, your visit warms my heart. Thank you for the humbling honor of your beautiful comments and for sharing your lovely thoughts. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley May 7, 2018 at 7:13 AM I truly and deeply love your poetry my friend. Its messages, depths and beauty are magnificent to behold! And to me that is the true mark, of a true and great poet.. How could I not fav this exquisite gem? Susan Ashley May 8, 2018 at 9:43 PM I am both humbled and honored by your generous and beautiful comments, my dear friend, Robert. I'm overjoyed by your response to my poem and I deeply appreciate your wonderful thoughts. Your kindness inspires me to reach higher, my friend.. Many thanks for the fav as well.. Warmest wishes to you and your lovely family.. ~Susan

Frederic Parker May 3, 2018 at 12:58 PM the texture of your poetry allows one to see what poetry truly is, Thank you for that, it is truly a pleasure to read your work Susan Ashley May 5, 2018 at 11:29 AM Frederic, your heartfelt comment means so much to me.. I'm so happy you value my poetry, as you are a poet I hold in highest regard. I relish your kindness and your wonderful thoughts.. Warmest wishes, my friend. ~Susan

John Gondolf May 2, 2018 at 12:45 PM Wow, Susan, what an amazing piece. Your imagery always makes your poems such a joy to read. You rock my friend. John Susan Ashley May 5, 2018 at 11:26 AM John, your sentiments are cherished. Thank you for spending time with my poetry - your friendship and support are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes, my friend. ~Susan

Roy Pett May 2, 2018 at 9:35 AM Absolutely brilliant Susan, wow what an amazing piece of writing, I was imagining that I was experiencing this nightmare scenario as I was reading, thanks for sharing beautifully written as usual. :)) Susan Ashley May 5, 2018 at 11:18 AM I relish your kindness, Roy. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts with me in your lovely comments. Your visits always delight me :)) Warmest wishes, my friend. ~Susan

Jean Murray April 30, 2018 at 5:23 PM A hell on Earth. It sizzles. Susan Ashley April 30, 2018 at 8:10 PM Thank you, Jean. I am delighted by your kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Charles Messina April 30, 2018 at 4:43 PM Wonderful writing Susan, some of us have been burned so many times, that only cold air travels through the flames of our candles...All the best...Stay well....Charlie Susan Ashley April 30, 2018 at 8:17 PM Yes, so true, Charles, being burned can leave one cold inside. I adore your elegantly stated interpretive comments. Your wonderful perception grasps my intentions beautifully. Thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts with me and delighting me with your visit. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Nette Onclaud April 30, 2018 at 3:59 PM fascinated by the descriptive play of words and images... uniquely penned, susan..huggs Susan Ashley April 30, 2018 at 8:19 PM Thank you Nette.. I am honored and humbled by your kindness.. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Winged Warrior April 30, 2018 at 6:53 AM Superly done my poetic sister...stay in the light, my friend...^WW^ Susan Ashley May 1, 2018 at 5:48 PM Thank you, my poetic brother, for your shining and uplifting comments. Your visit is a delight, my wonderful friend.. Warmest wishes to you always.. ~Susan

Arturo Michael April 30, 2018 at 5:46 AM From cold to hot to cold...no shade or blanket no hope...sounds like life... Glad to see you back...I always appreciate your writing style...Now that Spring is here, look forward to reading you more...All the best to you and yours... Susan Ashley May 1, 2018 at 7:59 PM Yes, it's true, Arturo.. it sounds like life or love.. like a person struggling to find salvation but finds false hope and no relief.. no one can save you but yourself and God. You lovely comments are always so insightful, mon ami. Thank you for the delight of your visit that brightened my day. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf April 29, 2018 at 3:26 PM What a vision! At once celestial, eerie, bewitched, damned...Ach, mere adjectives do this imaginative write poor justice. John Milton is smiling down at you from Poetry Heaven. Excellence 'poetified!' Can read it over and over and over. :) Best wishes, Gershon Susan Ashley May 5, 2018 at 11:07 AM Oh Gershon, let me bemoan the busy-ness of my life that has taken me away from PS way too much lately :( but, let me celebrate the wondrous-ness of your beautiful and generous comments. John Milton, now that was a glorious poet, indeed! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful and inspiring thoughts with me that always sheds sunshine on my soul. Warmest wishes, dear friend. ~Susan

Paul Callus April 29, 2018 at 2:25 PM Excellent, Susan! When I was young I got badly sunburnt on more than one occasion, but I would have never dreamed of turning the experience into poetry! You describe the fluctuating temperatures in a desert in such a way that the reader finds himself in the same situation. Oh for an oasis to loom out of nowhere...but not a mirage, please:) ~ Warm regards, my friend. // paul Susan Ashley May 3, 2018 at 9:09 PM Dear Paul.. the busy-ness of my life has taken me away way from PS way too much these days and I miss our more frequent interactions. Your comments are always a joy that I look forward to whenever I post a new poem. Thank you for your uplifting words that brighten me. I treasure your beautiful thoughts and your time spent here. Warmest wishes and hugs, my wonderful friend. ~Susan

Besma Riabi Dziri April 29, 2018 at 1:54 PM A poetess has a world of her own! The muse of poetry and beauty has bestowed a wild imagination, unique imagery and an expressive write upon you! A captivating piece of work and a great pleasure to read your beauty! Stay blessed dear Susan. Susan Ashley May 1, 2018 at 5:44 PM Besma, how fortunate am I to receive such lovely words of praise from you, my dear friend, a poet of such emotional depth and soulful beauty. My joyful spirit overflows with appreciation for your endearing comments that touch my heart and soul in friendship. Your shining and inspired essence inspires me to reach ever higher. My warmest wishes to you always.. ~Susan

Robertina B. April 29, 2018 at 1:40 PM Stellar writing Susan!! Exciting and intense.. Amazing imagery!! " Such a pleasure to read, Susan.. " All the best to you.. Susan Ashley May 1, 2018 at 8:52 PM Your kindness fills my heart with appreciation and joy, Robertina. Your beautiful comments reflect the loveliness of your soul. Thank you for your wonderful visit and your time with my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart April 29, 2018 at 12:48 PM Wild write Susan! I could feel the weight growing with every line. Phenomenal job dear poetess. xomo :) Susan Ashley April 30, 2018 at 3:18 PM Thank you, Maureen, for your valued positive feedback and uplifting comments.. your encouragement inspires me, lovely lady. Mucho hugs and love always <3 ~Susan