Notes About The Poem

An AI-generated picture, via ArtyNab fb page – June 2025.

A Suzette Swan Arc poem. See the article:

Oscillation – A Defining Feature of Suzette Swan Arc Poetry | PoetrySoup.com


 

Seaborne Longing

a forgotten hope chest – 
linen   s!t!i!t!c!h!e!d   with love by candlelight  
   c   r   u   m   b   l   e    now to the mere touch—
past companionship … forgotten  s n a t c h e s  of conversation
     fill      the     a  i  r
mingling with my t
                             e
                                 a
                                     r
                                        s…
                                              regret never far away—

a childhood dream 
in the  c*a*r*v*e*d  initials in the door jamb – 
     the door permanently removed 
          to let the departed soul escape – 
now weathered by exposure to the salt   s  e  a     a  i  r   beyond
ThaT I can TasTe in my T
                                      e
                                          a
                                             r
                                                 s

the equally weathered picture [FRAME]
against the f  a  i  g  paint
                     l  k  n
above the hope chest
had encompassed our hopes                           o    u
on our wedding day                                     l           d
now as ephemeral as the   s c u d d i n g   c               s
                                                                 
                                               above the  r e   s t   l e  s s   ocean

   as I look down
                                                              at my wedding dress
now yellowed 
to the colour of the moss 
              b.e.t.w.e.e.n   the                                   flagstones of the hallway
your M*Dness now resonates with method – 
an escape from the inevitable suffering
of your illness

weathered moments 
     lost out to sea with your departure—
          I set your memory 
                                        f   r   e   e  …
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
August 28, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Profound poem here. I see it won in the marathon. Easy to see why!!🕊️
Richards Avatar
August 28, 2026 at 11:02 PM
It is a heartfelt poem written for a friend ...
Hind Avatar
August 11, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Back again to read this. This write is unforgettable, Suzette. I loved it before when I read it. 🌹
Richards Avatar
August 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Thank you 😊
Hind Avatar
August 12, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Oh, wow, I hope you are okay now? God bless, hugs - (tlc) <3
Richards Avatar
August 12, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Yes, this poem has special meaning to me and a close friend who lost her husband a year ago.. I ended up in ER on Saturday - now at home recovering.
Gauthier Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Congrats on your fine finish in Mark's Marathon, Suzette ~ well done
Richards Avatar
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Thanks, Line :)
Toney Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Suzette, congratulations on earning an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Poetry Marathon’s FINAL Placement Contest—your poem stood out in a very competitive field of submissions. The poems of the 37 qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post. Time to take off those running shoes and give those feet a rest!
Richards Avatar
November 22, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Thank you for hosting a very interesting challenge, Mark, and your personalized comments on our poems.
Ashley Avatar
August 3, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Dear Suzette, congratulations for your success in Mark's contest with your poem filled with wistful beauty. Such sweet melancholy musings. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Toney Avatar
August 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Suzette, congratulations on your second-place finish on Mile 1 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 2 has already started.
Richards Avatar
August 3, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Thanks for the placement, Mark. I will try to keep up. :)
Fowler Avatar
June 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I love the idea of setting painful memories free. A super example of your Suzette Swan Arc. I enjoyed the article and your detailed explanation and examples. Congratulations on your top sin Suzette! :)
Richards Avatar
June 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Thank you for the compliment, Linda. I am flattered by your remarks about my article. Bless you, Su x
Hind Avatar
June 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
You changed the title to another one! I like it, Suzette. I'm quickly becoming a real fan, <3
Richards Avatar
June 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
It was written, using a current prompts, but like this title better. Thanks for noticing, Paige. :)
Hind Avatar
June 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is painful- a beauty in the pain, however. You write with a true feeling and lovely pen. I was swept away,
Richards Avatar
June 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
On Father's Day, it will be the 1 year anniversary of a dear friend's passing. My mind turns to his memory this time of year. It is not my usual write. Thank you for reading and your kind comment, Paige.
Goldsmith Avatar
June 8, 2025 at 12:56 PM
What a creative/fun write you have here. Love this one... "Good Luck" if for a contest. Have a fun day writing away...............
Richards Avatar
June 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Thank you for the visit and complement, Paula.
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