Mystical Lore of the Twilight Hawk

Aloft, with keen eyes in sorbet skies’ raspberry half-light
visceral vibrations of vitality does await.
Soaring in a hush, with plumage plush, a silent stealth kite,
he glissades on ghostly winds with mystical wings of fate.

Poised to plummet from his summit of purple sundown spread
with wingspan wide, wreathed gradual glide, hunts a twilight hawk.
Floating form causes flocks to brainstorm on life or death dread,
those flying forlorn, late to roost, are reduced by his stalk.

Aerodynamic, his dramatic dive deals destiny,
raptor raptly pursues passerine through air’s plum-bruised dim.
Whispering wings whisk to live and not die desperately,
over the arborvitaes the future for one is grim.

If it’s true that energy never dies; its cries transform,
then songbird's notes will ascend on hunter's wings in reform.


Susan Ashley 
December 3, 2017


~ First Place ~
Contest: Your Best Poem In The Last Year 
Sponsor: Silent One


~ Seventh Place ~
Contest: Best Rhyming Poem October - December 2017
Sponsor: John Hamilton
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

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Deo Avatar
January 7, 2022 at 5:51 AM
This 2017 poem was showcased in PS today, and I am so glad. I can hope to learn new words, alliteration, Lore, and More ... Reading your work. Happy New 2022 . Anil Deo
Ashley Avatar
January 7, 2022 at 11:26 AM
Dear Anil, your gracious comments are truly heartwarming and are received with gratitude. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and for the follow. I will follow you with pleasure, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy new year filled with light, love and inspiration.. ~Susan
Krutsinger Avatar
January 6, 2022 at 10:31 AM
I see why this placed first in your best poem of the year, and you write many wonderful poems! "Poised to plummet from his summit of purple sundown spread with wingspan wide, wreathed gradual glide, hunts a twilight hawk. Floating form causes flocks to brainstorm on life or death dread, those flying forlorn, late to roost, are reduced by his stalk." Wow!
Ashley Avatar
January 7, 2022 at 11:24 AM
Dear Caren, it’s such a wonderful pleasure to hear from you. Your beautiful spirit and lovely comments are treasured. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me. Happy new year, my sweet friend.. ~Susan
Maverick Avatar
January 6, 2022 at 9:09 AM
Plenty of description in this Susan, Metaphoricaly soaring high indeed Congrats on the first prize.'
Ashley Avatar
January 7, 2022 at 11:22 AM
Hi Joe, I relish your gracious visit. Your amazing comments and kind congrats are received with gratitude. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
DiMino Avatar
March 8, 2018 at 7:45 AM
Someday. We pray, live and breath love, life after life, till the earth's great transformation. Great write, Susan. Beautiful on many divine levels.
Ashley Avatar
March 8, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Joe, your comment to my poem is profound and thought provoking. I truly enjoy reading your amazing comments as much as I enjoy reading your beautiful poetry - both possess emotional, spiritual and intellectual depth that is intriguing, compelling and admired.. Warmest wishes my friend! ~Susan
Roper Avatar
February 8, 2018 at 11:08 PM
Congratulations on your win, Susan! Great rhyme and flowing poem I enjoyed reading. Hugs Eve ~`*
Ashley Avatar
March 8, 2018 at 7:27 PM
Oh I'm so sorry with my late reply to you Eve.. Your lovely comments and kindhearted congrats are truly cherished and I'm happy you enjoyed my poem. Thank you! Warmest wishes. ~Susan
Gauthier Avatar
February 5, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Back with congrats, Susan. It is a pleasure to reread your poem.
Ashley Avatar
February 6, 2018 at 4:27 AM
Thank you Line for the kindness of your return visit and your heartwarming comments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
One Avatar
February 5, 2018 at 4:44 PM
I remember this brilliant poem and the great alliteration.. Great choice for the contest Susan.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest, I am happy you entered and the poem will be showcased..
Ashley Avatar
February 5, 2018 at 5:22 PM
Thank you Silent One for your truly lovely comments and kind congrats. You came up with such a wonderful idea with this contest.. I deeply appreciate the honor of my placement, your light and your mentorship. Your inspiration lifts us all higher my friend. Warmest wishes always. ~Susan
Fleming Avatar
January 21, 2018 at 3:29 AM
Marvelous piece of poetry, Susan...simply sublime. Reminds me of Gerard Manley Hopkins brilliant poem "The Windhover". Loved every word of this poem of yours. My very warmest regards. :) john
Ashley Avatar
January 21, 2018 at 3:43 PM
Thank you John for your beautiful comments and for mentioning my humble write in the same sentence as the elegantly written and exquisitely dynamic poem "The Windhover" - such a lofty compliment I hold in dearest appreciation. My very warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Haight Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Such a well-written poem, Susan! Congratulations on your fine placement in the contest! Hugs, Sandra
Ashley Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 9:12 PM
Sandra, I truly appreciate your wonderful words and warmhearted congrats. Your beautiful comments are uplifting and cherished.. Hugs and warmest wishes to you my friend.. ~Susan
Gauthier Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 3:10 PM
Congrats, Susan. Wonderful poem.
Ashley Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 3:32 PM
Line, your wonderful comments and heartwarming congrats are cherished. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Scars Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 1:38 PM
perfect rhythm and rhyme, lovely imagery too, congrats sweet Susan! :)-luloo
Ashley Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 2:09 PM
Your beautiful comments and kindhearted congrats are cherished Laura. Thank you for sharing your appreciation with me, my lovely friend.. Warmest wishes ~Susan
Barden Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 12:25 AM
Congratulations on your well-deserved win, Susan - blessings and best wishes for a Happy New Year, friend! :-)
Ashley Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 2:06 PM
Gregory, your warm words of congrats and best wishes inspire me to reach higher in the new year. Thank you for your charming comments.. Warmest wishes and Happy New Year to you my friend.. ~Susan
Godwin Avatar
January 4, 2018 at 8:07 PM
Congratulations! Hugs ... CayCay
Ashley Avatar
January 5, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Thank you so much, my lovely friend, for your warmhearted congrats and the hugs :) Sure could use the warm hearts and hugs around here since we had a raging blizzard yesterday and wind chills now of -10 to -35 degrees till Sunday.. brrrrrrrr Hugs and love to you CayCay :)) ~Susan
Sinha-Roy Avatar
January 4, 2018 at 12:23 AM
Congratulations, Susan on your fine win.
Ashley Avatar
January 4, 2018 at 2:16 PM
Thank you Subimal for your kind words and warm congrats.. ~Susan
Williams Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 12:49 PM
You've taken me right to dusk in the field with this one, Susan, awaiting the hawk's next dive! Congratulations on truly capturing a scene with your winning entry!! All my best to you in 2018 and beyond. :) Bartholomew
Ashley Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 4:29 PM
Barholomew, I relish your wonderful and heartfelt words.. Thank you for your beautiful comments and your lovely congrats. I appreciate your kind words and hold them dear.. My warmest wishes to you for a happy, healthy and inspire 2018 my friend :) ~Susan
Hamilton Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 11:29 AM
Your vocabulary is off the charts with this one Susan, thanks for entering sorry for the lower placement, nonetheless impressive write
Ashley Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 4:25 PM
John, thank you for your wonderful comments and for the honor of being placed on your winner's list. I hope you enjoyed a lovely Holiday season my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Cozart Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 11:27 AM
Gorgeous imagery and word choices, Susan! Nice write indeed.
Ashley Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 4:22 PM
Thank you Dale for your wonderful compliments. Your appreciation delights me since I admire your poetic prowess immensely. Your lovely comments are cherished. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Hoffman Avatar
December 22, 2017 at 11:17 AM
This wonderful poem soars Susan; love the imagery of the twilight hawk!~Che :)
Ashley Avatar
December 22, 2017 at 7:50 PM
Thank you Che for your lovely visit and your beautiful comments. It delights me to know you enjoyed my poem and your time spent here is well appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Tripp Avatar
December 16, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Linguistic skills galore. Very eloquently written.
Ashley Avatar
December 17, 2017 at 1:05 PM
Thank you Rhonda, for your lovely visit and wonderful comment. I appreciate your kind thoughts and your presence on my poetry page is delightful. Warmest wishes ~Susan
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 13, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Your words seem gilded in this masterpiece of alliteration and splendid internal rhyme Susan. Brava! Outstanding! : )
Ashley Avatar
December 14, 2017 at 5:38 PM
Your beautiful comments warm my heart to a rosy glow Connie. Thank you for your uplifting and generous words of appreciation that inspire me to reach new heights.. Warmest holiday wishes to you and your family.. ~Susan
Warrior Avatar
December 9, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Love it! love it! love it!...glorious penmenship...internal rhymes and all...did a say I loved it lol...god bless and happy holidays...^WW^
Ashley Avatar
December 9, 2017 at 11:32 PM
Lol! You're so silly my friend.. For now, I think I'll just continue to learn from the Grand Master of 'internal rhyme', remember I'm still working on perfecting it and it may take awhile.. :)) Thank you for the additional wonderful comment you left below. Blessings and hugs..
Warrior Avatar
December 9, 2017 at 9:50 PM
...and now I gotta watch my back...competition lol...bring it on girl...^WW^
Warrior Avatar
December 9, 2017 at 9:47 PM
We all have the ability to do, what we think we can't do...and you have achieved a great high in the poetic dance...stellar poetry, my friend...I am proud and bow...god bless...^WW^
Ashley Avatar
December 9, 2017 at 10:26 AM
Wow! What a glorious way to start my day Winged Warrior... I love love love your beautiful and heartfelt comment. Your enthusiastic response to my poem has warmed my heart like a mug of hot chocolate this snowy morn. I picked up my penchant for internal rhyming from you and I'm still working on perfecting it, unlike you who has honed this technique to poetic perfection:) I receive you wonderful words with deepest gratitude my friend. God bless and warmest Holiday wishes to you. ~Susan
Wanter Avatar
December 8, 2017 at 12:24 PM
You are such a grand poet - this will go into my favorites - it is just wonderful.
Ashley Avatar
December 8, 2017 at 3:32 PM
Sunlite, your wonderful words of appreciation for my poem warms my heart to a toasty glow. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment, for the fave and for the smile you inspired. Warmest wishes. ~Susan
Williams Avatar
December 7, 2017 at 10:27 PM
Susan my dear friend, another masterpiece from your golden pen. What imagery, what a command of language, what beautiful descriptive lines. Need i go on? You are one of my favourite poets on this site, a true poet indeed....Maria xxx
Ashley Avatar
December 8, 2017 at 3:26 PM
Maria my lovely friend, yes, please do go on.. lol! Thank you for the lavish praise you bestow upon my poem. To know that I am one of your favorite poets on this site thrills me more than you can imagine - and truly, the sentiment is mutual fine poetess. I appreciate you, your brilliant poetry and our glowing poetry friendship. Warmest wishes. Hugs ~Susan
Lamoureux Avatar
December 7, 2017 at 5:09 PM
Beautiful imagery.
Ashley Avatar
December 7, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Thank you Richard for your fine visit and comment. I appreciate you stopping by.. ~Susan
Dietrich Avatar
December 5, 2017 at 2:56 PM
ohh, so much pretty imagery with beautiful vocabulary. Just love the alliteration of glissades on ghostly winds and the internal rhyme of plummet from his summit. Oh, as I kept reading, yet another awesome phrase: plum-bruised dim!! What a gem of a poem.
Ashley Avatar
December 5, 2017 at 4:06 PM
Andrea, I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem. Thank you for your lovely thoughts and your beautiful comment. Your heartfelt appreciation for my poem delights me and your wonderful words are received with gratitude.. ~Susan
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