Susan Ashley Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Mystical Lore of the Thunderbeast

Great Spirit whispers on breathing breeze; 'It is time',
puce plume in saffron noon signals hunt's aborning,
ThunderBeasts' harrowing hooves erupt Great Plains grime,
soon will ail, widow's wail like a wild dove's mourning...

Ancient wisdom, ebony eyes, high cheekbones wide,
buffalo, he knows, mystical foes who fight back,
astride, he rides his Spanish horse with native pride,
his soul cleared, spiritual prayers 'fore the attack.

Timeworn trails, bison beaten by shaggy stampedes,
hunting grounds feared and revered, tribesmen o'er the brae,
power potent, cloven cloud, hastened heart proceeds,
ambush laid, panicked herd, embrace the bloody fray.

Casualty's chance, horseback dance, drum lethal hoof beats,
thunderous trample of ample prairie crocus,
Sioux and beasts' sacred throes, their crimson flows 'neath feet,
death has a way of bringing life into focus.


Susan Ashley
October, 24,2017


~ Third Place ~
Contest: Tribute To Native Culture
Sponsor: Line Gauthier

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Connie Marcum Wong December 16, 2018 at 9:53 PM Your poem is wonderfully written with internal rhyme that intertwines making these words slip off the tongue Susan. I loved it! Congratulations on your deserving win! Happy bolidays my friend! : ) xxoo Susan Ashley December 17, 2018 at 7:35 PM Dear Connie, it is such a joy to receive your wonderful comments and your kind congrats. Thank you for sharing your lovely insight with me. Your presence here is ever enchanting and always appreciated. Warmest wishes for a joyous Holiday season for you and yours, my friend.. ~Susan

Robert L. Hinshaw December 15, 2018 at 3:36 PM Congrats, Susan, for this awesome verse - my kind of poetry. Many thanks for your kind comments re my entry. Best wishes as you continue your poetical journey and I wish for you and your family a Joyous Yuletide - Bob Susan Ashley December 15, 2018 at 8:14 PM Bob, your wonderfully kind words are read with pride and pleasure, your beautiful comments are truly appreciated. Thank you for your gracious visit and for sharing your esteemed thoughts with me.. Warmest wishes for joyous Holiday season for you and yours, my friend. ~Susan

Vladislav Raven December 15, 2018 at 1:13 PM Hi Susan, dropping by with my congratulations on your well deserved win in the contest with this excellent piece. It does sing Native American lore from start to finish. It flows with such wonderful images, your words create. Such powerful story-telling. I found myself in the heart of a living piece, a part of the story. Has to be a fave. have a wonderful weekend. Hugs....Mike. XX Susan Ashley December 15, 2018 at 8:10 PM Your wonderful response to my poem fills me with elation, my dear friend. I'm thrilled to know that you enjoyed this poem which is very special to me. I relish your lovely thoughts and hold your beautiful comments and your fave in my truest appreciation, Mike. Warmest wishes always my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Carolyn Devonshire December 15, 2018 at 12:06 PM Perhaps the Thunderbeast is akin to the legend of the white buffalo in the Sioux tribe. Love the story that unfolds in your poem and the quick pace in each line. Excellent writing once again, Susan. Congratulations on your win in Line's contest. Sending wishes for holiday cheer, Carolyn Susan Ashley December 15, 2018 at 8:07 PM Carolyn, I am so pleased by your lovely response to my poem. Your bright presence and your precious comments are truly appreciated. Thank you for your warm congrats and for your kindness. Warmest wishes for a wonderful Holiday season, my friend.. ~Susan

David Smith December 30, 2017 at 11:44 PM You certainly painted me a picture with some very powerful and engaging words. Will look at some more of your work. Best regards David in NZ Susan Ashley December 31, 2017 at 9:40 AM David, so pleased to meet you.. Thank you for delighting me with your lovely visit. Your wonderful comments are certainly appreciated. Warmest wishes for a happy new year! ~Susan

CayCay Godwin November 23, 2017 at 11:02 PM You have an excellent vocabulary and it played out most poetically in this powerful poem. I couldn't fit all the images that came to mind as I read, inside this wee box. Your imagination is as extensive as your vocabulary and I'm happy to enjoy both. Hugs ... CayCay Susan Ashley November 24, 2017 at 8:09 PM It thrills my spirit that you enjoy my poetry CayCay! Just know that the enjoyment is entirely mutual as I find your poetry to be pure bliss. Thank you for your lovely presence and I always look forward to your visits and your beautiful, soulful comments.. Hugs.. ~Susan

Paul Callus November 21, 2017 at 2:39 PM ThunderBeast has fired up your imagination, Susan...and mine! A captivating write which takes us back many moons! Lovely imagery, movement and rhyme; superb ending. For a moment this poem reminded me of Cherl Dunn, a poetess @ Soup who passed away over a year ago. Warm regards // paul Susan Ashley November 22, 2017 at 7:42 AM Good morning Paul, it's 8:27 a.m. here on the East Coast and I just want to say that I adore your lovely and lively comments and critiques of my poetry.Thank you for your insightful words that resonate with uplifting sincerity. Your gracious encouragement is accepted with a appreciative spirit and I'm flattered that even a moment my poetry would remind you of Cherl Dunn's style. Thank you for bringing my awareness to her wondrous work and thank you for your inspiring friendship. Warmest wishes always ~Susan

John Fleming November 2, 2017 at 12:20 PM Fascinating! I had heard of the Thunder Bird beforehand...but never the Thunder beast - thank you, Susan! My very warmest regards. :) john P.s Still reading about them...and their association with the Sioux - great stuff! :) Susan Ashley November 2, 2017 at 6:50 PM john, I am endlessly fascinated by the relationship the Sioux and other Plains' peoples had with the buffalo...I'm so happy you find this intriguing as well! Thank you for reading my poem and sharing your valued thoughts with me. Much appreciation.. ~Susan

Heidi Sands October 31, 2017 at 7:38 PM A well written poem Susan with a powerful ending to think about too :) Susan Ashley October 31, 2017 at 8:25 PM Heidi, it's so great to see you, you were missed and it's good to have you back... I'm so glad you enjoyed my poem. Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me, your words are always so appreciated and your visits so happily received.. ~Susan

Maria Williams October 31, 2017 at 1:04 AM I love the mystical mysterious vibe to this poem Susan, You transport us readers to a bygone era with your wondrous words. I am in awe of your poetic genius. You are truly up there with the best my friend...Maria Susan Ashley October 31, 2017 at 6:31 PM Maria, I am so pleased by your positive response to my poem. Your precious appreciation of my poem means so much and I cherish your thoughts and words you shared with me. Thank you very much for your encouraging and supportive sentiments.. ~Susan xo

Charlie Smith October 29, 2017 at 9:02 AM Wonderful write Susan, filled with passion and color, loved the entire last verse, great work... Susan Ashley October 29, 2017 at 7:41 PM Charlie, your wonderfully kind words were read with pride and pleasure. Your beautiful comment meant so much to me, thank you for sharing your esteemed thoughts with me.. ~Susan

Joanna Daniel October 29, 2017 at 8:41 AM A powerful poem packed with imagery, Susan, great last line:) Susan Ashley October 29, 2017 at 7:38 PM Jo, thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and I'm happy to know that you enjoyed this write. Thank you for your visit and beautiful comment.. ~Susan

John Michaels October 28, 2017 at 5:40 AM Great imagery, subtle alliteration and a powerful punch! Well done! All the best, John. Susan Ashley October 28, 2017 at 3:10 PM John, your wonderful comment means so much to me. Thank you for your time to visit and read my poem and I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I appreciate you sharing your wonderful thoughts with me as well.. ~Susan

Roy Pett October 27, 2017 at 6:55 PM I find this an amazing piece of poetry Susan, great theme, rhyme and use of words, inspirational poem. :)) Susan Ashley October 27, 2017 at 9:53 PM Roy, your kindhearted words warm my heart .. I appreciate your precious comments. Thank you for your support and appreciation for my poem. My warmest regards always.. ~Susan

Joseph May October 27, 2017 at 6:48 PM Very nicely penned Susan..best wishes Susan Ashley October 27, 2017 at 9:54 PM Joseph, I appreciate your visit and your warm words. Thank you so much. Warmest regards.. ~Susan

Demetrios Trifiatis October 27, 2017 at 12:56 PM Captivating and inspiring dear Susan! Superb imagery! Susan Ashley October 27, 2017 at 3:56 PM Demetrios, your words of appreciation for my poem mean so much to me. Thank you for your generous and heartfelt comment and for sharing your treasured thoughts with me. ~Susan

Probir Gupta October 27, 2017 at 6:10 AM Music of sound ... Wealth of nicely chosen words ... A joy to read ... Susan Ashley October 27, 2017 at 3:52 PM Probir, it is with much appreciation that I receive your warmhearted comment. I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem and your esteemed words put a smile on my face. Thank you my valued friend! ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong October 26, 2017 at 9:14 AM This is WONDERFUL Susan! Your last three lines end this poem so beautifully. Brava! I loved it! : ) Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:32 PM Connie, Thank you for your beautiful comment and enthusiasm for my poem. It thrills me that you loved it!! Much appreciation for your warmhearted words and visit. ~Susan

Bernard Chan October 26, 2017 at 8:48 AM Wow! Your imagery is so evocative! Captures the taut atmosphere and the action with such a visceral urgency! And yes, that last line is a great way of summing up the scene. Inspired write, Susan! :) Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:29 PM Bernard, I'm so happy you enjoyed this write. Your wonderful comment thrills me and I appreciate, immensely, your thoughts and feelings you shared with me. Many, many thank you's for your insight and kindness! ~Susan

Anne-Lise Andresen October 26, 2017 at 8:08 AM - A really amazing poem, Susan - (Sorry I have not been on the "soup" in the last two weeks) - Best wishes for a lovely day :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:15 PM Thank you Anne-Lise for your lovely heartfelt words. I've noticed that you've been gone, my friend, and you've been missed... you've been in my thoughts as of late and I hope all is well with you and yours. I appreciate you sharing your precious thoughts with me and my very best wished to you! ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich October 25, 2017 at 7:48 PM wow, susan, this is very intelligent writing of the native american. It really took me back to their time, back before the bison were all vanquished from the plains. That last line is genius! Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:25 PM Andrea, it's with great appreciation that I receive your kind comment. I'm so happy to know that my words took your imagination to another time and place.., Thank you so much for taking the trip with me and for sharing your thoughts.... :)

Gary Smith October 25, 2017 at 7:01 PM I love this Susan :) Susan Ashley October 25, 2017 at 8:39 PM I'm so happy you enjoyed! Thank you for your wonderful comment Gary. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit October 25, 2017 at 8:07 AM Very well written, Susan--well chosen words--feels mystical, just as intended! Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:09 PM Vijay, I'm glad you're back, you've been missed... Thank you for your wonderful words, as always, they are deeply appreciated! ~Susan

Silent One October 25, 2017 at 6:00 AM You are really into your mythical lore at the moment and the language you used is fitting for the theme.. Great last line, which is so true.. Another well written poem with great use of words.. Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:02 PM I'm in a mystical mood these days Silent One, exploring classic relationships... Thank you for sharing your wonderful and precious thoughts with me. As always, I receive your kind insight with great appreciation... ~Susan

Russell Sivey October 25, 2017 at 3:51 AM Wow, this is quite a fabulous write my friend! You have a way of writing that I enjoy a lot! The free flowing nature of your pen is very soothing, but jarring when necessary...like this poem expresses! I really loved your remarkable poem here this morning! What an amazing piece, Great Work!! Susan Ashley October 26, 2017 at 5:06 PM Russell, it is always such a joy to receive a comment from you. Thank you for sharing your lovely insights and appreciation for my poem with me. You never fail to put a smile on my face! My warmest regards always! ~Susan

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