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Oh Lord, I Praise October Days

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November 5, 2023

~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: October’s Story
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh

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The bogs’ their fruit – the woodlands’ leaf embrace a ripened red motif, as cranberries and maples blaze Oh Lord, I praise October days. Where starling murmurations dance a breathless susurration trance, ballet in blackbird-shape-shift haze Oh Lord, I praise October days. And neath the cumulus, the breeze colludes with stalks in raspy tease, unfazed we ramble maize-field maze Oh Lord, I praise October days. As apple-cider-sunset spills behind the bluish granite hills, I’m grateful for my eyes to gaze Oh Lord, I praise October days. When rain does bead on pumpkin’s skin his smiling face still lit within, I pray myself be filled Your rays Oh Lord, I praise October days.

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Paghunda Zahid

Date: 1/15/2024 9:33:00 AM

Another trophy... your poems never disappoint us Susan. You have a wonderful muse. Congratulations. I really appreciate your presence on PS. I am glad we have poets like you. Blessings!

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/17/2024 6:37:00 PM

Dear Paghunda, I'm glad we have poets like you! But I'm especially glad to have a friend like you. Thank you for your inspiring words and kind congrats. Your lovely presence is truly appreciated. I am humbled and honored my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Len Gasun

Date: 1/2/2024 5:45:00 PM

A gorgeious/excellent kyrielle my dear poet friend Susan. I love your poem so much. I also love October because it's my birth month. I will place this on top of my fave, precious masterpiece from one of my favorite exceptional poets. Belated Big Congrats on your well-deserved trophy win! Thank you for sharing. Wishing a Very Happy, Healthy, Holy and Prosperous New Year 2024, you and your family/loved ones! God bless you abundantly always. Hugs

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/4/2024 6:47:00 PM

Dear Len, my poetry friend, your encouraging words and kind congrats are truly appreciated. Thank you for sharing in the emotion and imagination of this October poem with me. I find the Fall season and October, in particular, to be a very inspiring. Happy belated October birthday to you, my friend! Your gracious visit and poetry friendship is appreciated. Warmest wishes to you and yours for a happy new year filled with light, peace and inspiration.. ~Susan

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/29/2023 8:00:00 AM

"Double Congratulations"... On your First Place/on being number 5 in the "100 Best New Poems" list for Soup with your lovely write/great ending. Have a great/wonderful day/2024 writing away.................

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/30/2023 9:19:00 AM

Dear Paula, your "double congratulations" is twice as nice to receive! Thank you for your kindness. Your gracious visits and thoughtful comments are uplifting and truly appreciated. Warmest wishes, my friend, for a happy new year full of poetic inspiration.. ~Susan

Ray Zottola

Date: 12/28/2023 5:11:00 PM

Susan, Please read Glorious Love. I would love your feedback.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/30/2023 9:09:00 AM

Dear Ray, I just visited your poem "Glorious Love". It's an amazing piece.. more of my thoughts are posted there. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Ray Zottola

Date: 12/27/2023 5:05:00 PM

Fantastic!! Excellent!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/28/2023 7:51:00 AM

Dear Ray, it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for your visit and encouraging words. Both are truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes to you for a happy new year filled with light, peace and poetic inspiration.. ~Susan

Dean Wood

Date: 12/27/2023 3:00:00 PM

Susan, this is beautiful! "ballet in blackbird-shape-shift haze", what a wonderful way to describe the flocks of starlings. I could read yours works all day long.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/28/2023 7:47:00 AM

Dear Dean, it's wonderful to see you! I am both humbled and honored by your heartwarming feedback. Your thoughts I hold in high esteem! I'm so glad to know you were struck by that line, it's one of my favorite lines in the poem too. It took a bit of extra time for that verse to come together but it was worth it. Your artistic poetic presence is missed amongst the pages of PS. Your creative works are held in my highest regard. Hope to see you posting here again soon, my friend. Warmest wishes to you for a happy new year filled with light, peace and poetic inspiration.. ~Susan

Valsa George

Date: 12/22/2023 9:03:00 PM

October is made sweet by the cranberries, the colorful maple tree, the cool breeze, the sunset, rain and such visible sights to ordinary people like us. But to an imaginative and highly gifted poet like you they become maple's blaze, breeze with a raspy tease, apple cider sunset, rain beading on pumpkin skin et al. So heavenly are your images dear Susan. Congratulations on your trophy win!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/28/2023 7:33:00 AM

Dear Valsa, I am humbled by the expressive beauty of your heartwarming comments and kind congrats. Thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts with me and for the delight of your return visit. I bow to your shining presence, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes to you for a happy new year full of light, peace and poetic inspiration.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 12/17/2023 11:25:00 AM

A lovely poem to have as one of the top new poems.. I can see why this one was awarded a trophy.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/19/2023 4:56:00 PM

Dear Silent One, your genuine kindness and warm words are truly appreciated. Thank you, dear poet, your uplifting poetry friendship is treasured. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/6/2023 1:19:00 PM

wow, this is a very well deserved trophy win!! congrats

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/6/2023 5:52:00 PM

Thank you, dear Andrea, for the delight of your return visit and for your heartwarming congrats. Your kind words touch my heart. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Judy Ball

Date: 12/6/2023 7:33:00 AM

Lovely Susan. I too love the colors of Fall. Great job here. God Bless, JB

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/6/2023 5:55:00 PM

Dear Judy, it's wonderful to see you! I'm so glad to know you enjoyed my poem and that you enjoy Fall as much as I do. Thank you for your uplifting words. Your visit is truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Bill Baker

Date: 12/4/2023 9:56:00 PM

A beautiful poem of praise for October days, Susan. Thanks for sharing your poetic talents with us, my friend. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/5/2023 5:07:00 PM

Dear Bill, I adore October, so beautiful in the Northeast, so it's easy to appreciate and praise this beautiful month. Thank you for your heartwarming and uplifting words. Your poetry friendship fills me with gratitude. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Valsa George

Date: 12/4/2023 1:20:00 AM

The simple beauty and elegance of your poem has filled me with an unspeakable joy and my heart too rises up to the Lord to see and enjoy the beauty of His creation as you have done. I cannot cite a single stanza as my favorite. All are amazingly beautiful. But let me take out one---"As apple-cider-sunset spills behind the bluish granite hills, I’m grateful for my eyes to gaze Oh Lord, I praise October days." I feel I stand in the middle of a vast space strewn with gems. I regret that my petite hands can't hold as much as I wish. Poetry Soup has now become a meeting place of unusually gifted poets like you. Congratulations on your trophy win dear Susan....

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/4/2023 5:52:00 PM

Dearest Valsa, how do I begin to exalt the potent soulful power of your golden pen, whether on your own enchanted poetry pages or in the small space of a confining comment box? The beauty of your eloquence takes my breath away. I just adore "I feel I stand in the middle of a vast space strewn with gems. I regret that my petite hands can't hold as much as I wish"- how absolutely gorgeous! Such a precious poetic thought! How fortunate I am for my humble poem to receive the golden glow of your time and attention? I would say I am indeed most fortunate. I am honored, my dear friend and shining poetess. Thank you for your elegance, kindness and for your heartwarming congrats. In gratitude for your exquisite poetry and for your poetry friendship. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Regina Elliott

Date: 12/2/2023 2:38:00 PM

So supremely beauteous, dear Susan. Your verse so autumnly spectacular. Most enthusiastic Congratulations on your well earned 1st Place trophy. A bright and glorious Christmastime to you and your family. ~

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/3/2023 6:17:00 PM

Dearest Regina, my lovely poetry friend, I cherish your visit and your heartwarming congrats. Your precious comments are held in my deepest appreciation. I'm filled with gratitude for your shining poetry friendship. A bright and glorious Christmastime to you and your family too, Regina. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 12/1/2023 1:01:00 PM

As always I am in awe of your words.. your poetic pen is so tender in its imagery.. You used the form so well and no matter what form or the restriction you always have a wonderful way of creating imagery in your words... I can see why this was a top winner..

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/3/2023 6:12:00 PM

Dear Silent One, my dear poetry friend, I am honored to receive your treasured thoughts. Thank you for your poetic friendship and mentorship. Your encouragement and your poetry has inspired me from the beginning of my time here at PS, and because of your kindness and by reading your expressive poetry, I have learned to become a better poet and continue to grow into my self-expression. You are uplifting, dear poet. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Speaks Volumes

Date: 11/30/2023 5:52:00 PM

Susan, this is a spectacular poem. It describes a perfect garden in October, is such a poetic way. Contrats on a very well earned first place.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/30/2023 5:57:00 PM

Dear SV, it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for your lovely comments and congrats. I am inspired by your treasured thoughts and touched by your kindness. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Laura Leiser

Date: 11/22/2023 8:52:00 AM

Such lovely verse and rhyme, Susan. I love your delightful descriptions of October Days. A well deserved win! Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/30/2023 5:09:00 PM

Dear Laurie, it's wonderful to see you and receive your thoughtful and uplifting comments. Thank you, my friend. We had a scrumptious and appreciative Thanksgiving and I hope that you and your family enjoyed a lovely holiday too. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Charles Messina

Date: 11/21/2023 5:18:00 AM

Your descriptive poem just made October my favorite month, dear Susan. Wonderfully written and a pleasure to read. BOL in the contest. Happy Thanksgiving...warmest wishes ~Charlie

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2023 6:14:00 PM

Dear Charlie, your gracious visit is heartwarming on a cold and gray November day. I'm so pleased to know you enjoyed my poem and I treasure your inspiring thoughts. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.. ~Susan

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 11/20/2023 6:40:00 AM

This is stunningly beautiful Susan. Your use of imagery is so vivid and appealing. I love the "...blackbird shape-shift...", "...maize-field maze...", and apple-cider sunsets...". I have to fav this gorgeous work. Congratulations! :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2023 6:07:00 PM

Dear Linda, I am thrilled to receive your beautiful comments and I am truly honored by your fav! Thank you for your uplifting visit and for your kind congrats. Your gracious spirit shines! Warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.. ~Susan

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 11/19/2023 9:02:00 PM

simply brilliant. I just love this. A fave and Congrats on the top win. God bless you always my friend. Love, Gina

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2023 6:04:00 PM

Dearest Gina, thank you for your beautiful thoughts and for the distinction of your fave. I am truly honored by my poem's placement in your esteemed contest and to be listed with such gifted poets. Warmest wishes for a happy Thanksgiving, my sweet friend.. ~Susan

Christuraj Alex

Date: 11/19/2023 6:55:00 PM

With a very ringing refrain "Oh Lord, I praise October days", you have brought out the beauty of the month with all its riches and benevolences. Congratulations!

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2023 5:58:00 PM

Dear Christuraj, your lovely comments and heartwarming congrats are received with my deepest appreciation. Thank you for your gracious visit. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Janice Canerdy

Date: 11/19/2023 3:21:00 PM

Susan, a huge CONGRATS on your well-deserved win with this vividly descriptive, skillfully-composed poem! Janice

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2023 5:56:00 PM

Dear Janice, thank you for the kindness of your congrats and beautiful comments. They are received with my truest appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Susan Lawrence

Date: 11/19/2023 10:24:00 AM

Dearest Susan … I fall into fall with your enticing words of wonder, taste , smell, temperature, and shapeshifting shadows of blackbirds . Top it off with an apple-cider sunset to create pure magic ! You are a gift to me and all of your readers dear lovely poetess . With grace and lifetimes of wisdom you share your heart with us . A fav dear friend ! Congratulations on your win . Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours sent on whispers of white wings .love to you always, Susan :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2023 5:54:00 PM

Dearest Susan, my sweet poetry sis and time-travel companion, I adore our shared gratitude, respect and love for our past and present connection, for Nature, for all things and living beings that came before us and for embracing spiritual awareness. Thank you for gracing my poem, and my heart, with your radiant spirit. Your gracious spirit glows so beautifully. I'm honored by your fav and touched by your kind congrats. You never fail to inspire me lovely poetess! Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours. Warmest wishes and may the embrace of white wings uplift and inspire you.. ~Susan

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 11/19/2023 9:22:00 AM

lovely, lovely poem and congrats on top spot win! fully deserved!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/19/2023 7:12:00 PM

Dear Krish, your comments are uplifting, as are your heartwarming congrats. Thank you for your gracious visit and kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/13/2023 10:54:00 AM

this is a wowser. I bet it gets a top spot. A fave.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/19/2023 7:10:00 PM

Dear Andrea, your comment is precious and is truly appreciated. Thank you for your kind words and for the honor of your fave. I am truly touched, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.. ~Susan

Tom Woody

Date: 11/13/2023 6:28:00 AM

I've never been a fan of seasonal poetry, just too much of it. But leave it to you to write something fresh, something utterly unique and enjoyable. What a talent you have Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/19/2023 7:07:00 PM

Dear Tom, your comments are truly valued and I am honored to receive them. Thank you for spending time with my poem. I am uplifted by your kindness, my poetic friend. Warmest wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.. ~Susan