Home » Poems » Susan Ashley » Sirens - The Cold Embrace Of Death

Susan Ashley | + Follow Poet |

Sirens - The Cold Embrace Of Death

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Susan Ashley.

April 13, 2025

~ Sixth Place ~
Premiere Contest: The Cold Embrace Of Death
Sponsor: Sara Jama

Ah! shipmate obsession with blonde pleasures but treachery’s buried in treasures feminine gold a flute a lyre voices honey dipped in danger temptation burns Hades flames on sunset waters sea-devils those she-devils salty tear sweet ooh songstress sisters just a taste a kiss on lips that set fire to desires with song my sailor’s appetite hungers for heaven whet by curves wet and flowing with fanned betta fins ship's mainmast in full sail filled with chanting gales to get there find her to possess her love her lessons of unholy lore lost to forbidden allure tidal surge drives male urge upon damsel-damned rocks the scree will drown my sinking screams sea-bed romance a myth in breath less murk oh songstress trio so fluid so corrupt flute a primal plea lyre a trembling snare hymns those wind-songs committing mortal sins fallen angels’ sea-mist-sigh a lyric doom to die where black waves undulate with serpentine virgins entranced by wooers weavers of wind and wave a sailor’s fate awaits escape in vain my bane their sunlight tresses turned a seaweed tangle I’m wrapped in temptress threads before I’m dead— cold embrace of death in shallows' greed swallows me gull a laughing witness fades in clouds knows my seaman’s crossed bones will brine opiate of the sea my soul’s shipwreck their ecstasy pulse of blood drunk with lust a poor warrior against underwater rush and underworld quicksand

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 4/18/2025 2:32:00 PM

so many have perished under sea this way, beautifully described, you put your heart into this it shows, congrats on your win dear Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/19/2025 7:50:00 AM

Dear Rose, I relish your wonderful visit and lovely thoughts about my poem. Thank you for sharing in this siren and sailor piece with me. Your kind congrats are truly appreciated as well. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan

Lin Lane

Date: 4/18/2025 10:17:00 AM

Dear Susan, your telling of the Siren's tale, the 'songstress sisters,' is ages old of their luring voices. Mythology blames them for the deaths of many sailors by death's cold embrace. Congratulations for your finely crafted lines being chosen for the winning list.

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/19/2025 7:56:00 AM

Dear Lin, indeed the siren and sailor lore is as old as sailing the high seas. Sara's theme "the cold embrace of death" lured my imagination to the envelopment of the dark sea. Thank you for your visit and insights. They are appreciated as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Nette Onclaud

Date: 4/18/2025 1:50:00 AM

ohhh, i haven't done a ditty on sirens in a long while, but your brilliant write is now inspiring me to pen one....sweet congrats on your huge win, susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/18/2025 8:10:00 AM

Dear Nette, it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for sharing in the sirens' song with me. Your beautiful comments and kind congrats are embraced with appreciation. Warmest wishes, sweet poetess.. ~Susan

Sara Jama

Date: 4/16/2025 6:30:00 AM

Congratulations on placing in my contest. I have always been fascinated by the lore of sirens. I love the descriptions in your write. From "a kiss on lips setting fire to desires with song," to fallen angels’ sea-mist-sigh a lyric doom to die," your sinister imagery of a watery grave is gorgeous.

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/18/2025 7:56:00 AM

Dear Sara, thank you for the honor of my poem's placement in your esteemed contest. It was such a pleasure to write for your contest prompt. This is another poem that wouldn't have been written if not for your dark, stirring theme. The spirit of your beautiful comments and kind congrats lifts and inspires my heart. You are truly appreciated, my creative poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

I Am Anaya

Date: 4/15/2025 11:18:00 AM

O Susan, chilling waters and its depth have swept me off my feet! The hallucination of the siren song surely has left the sailors drowning in their illusive wake. Such a maritime marvel, congratulations to you on your placement in Sara's contest! ~ The grogs on me!

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/18/2025 8:20:00 AM

Dear Anaya, it's always wonderful when you appear on my poem's page! Sirens make the sailors swoon for sure lol.. I'm so glad to know that my poem swept you off your feet to a place where we can lift our cups of grog in cheer! :) Your beautiful comments and your poet friendship is ever appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ink Empress

Date: 4/14/2025 11:56:00 AM

Dear talented soul, Susan, I love your use of mythology in your poem and how youv played around with words, using poetic techniques such as assonance, alliterations and descriptive diction, and the theme that youv gone for is truly impressive and one that is in sync with my soul! I especially love the lines "oh songstress trio so fluid so corrupt flute a primal plea lyre a trembling snare hymns those wind-songs committing mortal sins" how soulfully moving! Deep! Pleasure reading you! Congratulations on your placement in saras contest! Sending you light always

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/18/2025 8:04:00 AM

Dear Ink, expressive and impressive poet, your golden presence adds a golden glow to my poem that it would not otherwise have. Thank you for your beautiful comments and heartwarming congrats. I'm thrilled to know that my verses were "in sync with your soul". That's deep and gratifying, my soulful poet friend. You are ever appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/13/2025 10:14:00 PM

Wow you got really inspired to go with sirens. I wish I would have thought of something so cool. My entry pales in comparison

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/18/2025 7:58:00 AM

Dear Andrea, indeed, I was swooning over sirens lol! Thank you for your encouraging comments. Your visit is truly appreciated. I have no doubt that your entry was wonderful :) Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 4/13/2025 12:01:00 PM

My dear friend, This reads like an allegory for obsession and the futility of resisting destructive desire. The sea-women (sirens? muses? lovers?) are both object and subject of power—worshiped and feared. The sailor knows he’s doomed, but sails toward them anyway. It's a meditation on surrender. Your use of enjambment and fractured syntax creates a breathless, almost gasping rhythm that mirrors the sailor’s descent—both into temptation and the sea. So excellently written..

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/13/2025 9:40:00 PM

My dear friend, it’s always wonderful when your poetic presence graces my poem. Thank you for sharing in the imagery, emotion and futility of fighting the fated lure of lust when surrendering to it, if only to meet your doom, is so overpowering. You see into the heart of my poem with the ease. You have a true poet’s soul and you are ever an inspiration to me. So glad you enjoyed this poem, my dear friend, Silent One. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan