Home » Poems » Susan Ashley » Surrender In November

Surrender In November

The leaf came down it came down it came down from heights of thinnest twig a fated swan a fated swan in youth she bloomed unfurled from sprig vibrant with green esprit of Spring supple her strength to weather storms her skin bedewed despite the leather-drying-sun anchored she sailed the winds 'til she let go she let go she let go — surrender in November a Fall star dimmed on season’s stage a fallen star in dizzy whimsy whirl Autumn’s strawberry-blonde a flash of fame while colored flame but dead to a maple tree who needs her no longer to win aging’s game though she loses her dew she’s alive to herself as she muses with stream-song chanteuses she’s alive to herself while baring the bruises she chooses she’s alive to herself accepting her fate to crinkle and crepe she’s alive to herself —and I am alive to myself

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

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 1/28/2025 12:23:00 AM

Very deep and meaningful. We are alive and that is a blessing. Loving wishes, Kai

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/29/2025 11:37:00 AM

Dear Kai, it's wonderful to see you! Indeed, life is a blessing filled with realizations in each season. Thank you for your time spent with my poem and for sharing your wonderful response to my poem with me. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 12/29/2024 4:48:00 PM

A very beautiful and touching write, Susan. Loved it. Have a wonderful evening my friend.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/30/2024 7:52:00 AM

Dear Zyrool, I relish both your visit and kindness. Thank you for your uplifting word. I'm glad to know you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan

Gary Radice

Date: 12/16/2024 10:45:00 AM

I can only echo what has already been said Susan. This is great work. I'll add that I would really like to hear this recited. Cheers - Gary

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:46:00 PM

Dear Gary, it's wonderful to see you. Thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts. They mean a lot to me coming from a poet of your high caliber. If anyone would like to volunteer a recitation of this piece, I'd be all for it :)) I appreciate your kindness, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paige Hind

Date: 12/15/2024 5:42:00 PM

I really enjoyed this. It enchanted my mind - lovely, with introspective metaphors..."she muses with stream-song chanteuses she’s alive to herself while baring the bruises she chooses" loved that

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:41:00 PM

Dear Paige, my creative poet friend, I am ever enchanted by your gracious visit and precious thoughts. I'm heartened to know you enjoyed my poem, especially the line you quoted. Thank you my sweet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Kelly Deschler

Date: 12/15/2024 10:27:00 AM

A beautiful rendering of both life and death, from beginning to end ... and still, "she's alive to herself"... Lovely work, Susan :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:04:00 PM

Dear Kelly, I relish your beautiful response to my poem. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me. I'm so glad to know you enjoyed my verse. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Charles Messina

Date: 12/14/2024 11:12:00 AM

Dear Susan, just another amazing write from your brilliant mind. Lovely write my friend. Merry Christmas and warmest wishes to you and your family. Hugs Charlie :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:02:00 PM

Dear Charlie, thank you for your amazing comments. I'm uplifted by your lovely thoughts. Your gracious visit it truly appreciated, my poet friend. Warmest wishes to you and yours for a merry Christmas and a happy, creative new year.. ~Susan

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 12/10/2024 6:41:00 AM

So beautifully expressed.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/12/2024 8:00:00 AM

Dear Kai, I'm gratified by your heartwarming words. Your visit and wonderful response to my poem is truly appreciated. Thank you, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Phred Sirikye

Date: 12/9/2024 4:51:00 AM

Beautiful craft...

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/12/2024 7:59:00 AM

Dear Phred, long time no see.. so nice to see you once again! Thank for your gracious visit and kind response to my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jcb Brul

Date: 12/8/2024 8:26:00 PM

What a profound contemplation on the inevitability of change and the grace found in surrender. The leaf's descent becomes a poignant metaphor for aging, loss, and the quiet strength of embracing one's natural course. I love the repetition of phrases like "she let go" emphasizes the act of surrender as a choice rather than a defeat, while the vibrant imagery ("Autumn's strawberry-blonde," "crinkle and crepe") highlights the fleeting beauty of life's transitions. Warm wishes ^__^ JCB

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:27:00 PM

Dear Jcb, it's wonderful to see you! I relish your wonderful response to my poem. Thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts with me. Such a lovely review! I appreciated your poetic insight as much as I appreciate your poetic friendship. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 12/8/2024 10:01:00 AM

The birth, life and demise of a leaf seen through the eyes of a poetic soul, accepting destiny's stringent rules. An excellent metaphor combined with delightful personification, dear Susan. ~ Glad to be reading your poetry again, my friend. Warm regards and hugs // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:23:00 PM

Dear Paul, I so happy to know you are perusing the pages of poetry soup again and thrilled that you stopped by to read my poem. I relish your wonderful response. Thank you for your inspiring, uplifting words. You are ever my biggest encourager and I am ever appreciative! I hope you and yours enjoy a festive Christmas season. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Valsa George

Date: 12/8/2024 7:53:00 AM

Your poem is a powerful metaphor for a life that has undergone changes of a decadent sort. Youthful sprightliness is gone. You have chosen the right analogy of a leaf. Once it was so green and stayed proud on the twig dancing in the breeze. But autumn discolored it and it is falling down.....'a fallen star in dizzy whimsy whirl'. This descent is painful. but, 'though she loses her dew she’s alive to herself as she muses with stream-song chanteuses' ! Though battered by adverse currents, a spark remains in her, a flame that can't be extinguished. You are a soulful singer. Your poems with their deep meaning and allegorical tone never fail to create waves of emotions in the reader's heart. Stay a great poet, dear Susan...! Life can't be always fair for anybody.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:12:00 PM

Dearest Valsa, soulful poetess, indeed, you are right.. "Life can't be always fair for anybody." We all have our ups, downs, good times and hard times. We weather storms and create poems and share our hearts with other poets/poetesses, like you, who are perceptive and offer insight as we celebrate and commiserate. I appreciate you, my sweet friend. Thank you, truly, for your beautiful response to my poem. I'm filled with elation with your every visit and I cherish your thoughts, I'm humbled and honored, lovely Valsa. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Vilmos Zoltan Galyo

Date: 12/7/2024 12:50:00 AM

Beautiful poem!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/12/2024 7:38:00 AM

Dear Vilmos, thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful response to my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 12/6/2024 7:19:00 PM

I enjoy this poem, especially the ending. It is a story of resilience.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/12/2024 8:02:00 AM

Dear Hilda, your visit is a delight and your lovely response to my poem is heartwarming. I'm so glad to know you enjoyed my poem. Thank you, my poet friend, for your kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/6/2024 5:00:00 AM

A beautiful but sad story about a leaf who has to surrender in Autumn to its fate. I have strangely thought of just what you have so eloquently penned. Finally it surrenders and perhaps runs down a river and then is subject to the elements of nature, or perhaps brittle and crinkled, children have fun stamping on them on their way home from school. Having lost her dew and with no longer having any sustenance from the mother trunk she falls, falls, falls like 'a fallen star in dizzy whimsey whirl' but 'she muses with stream-song chanteuses she's alive to herself.' Breath taking poetry dear poetry sis, I am going to fave this brilliant write which comes straight from your endearing compassionate heart. LOVE, HUGS AND BLESSINGS dear Sis, Jennifer.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/12/2024 8:52:00 AM

Dearest Jennifer, my soulful poetry sis, I embrace your beautiful, resonant response to my poem and exult your enlightened poet's soul! What a joy to see you and receive your uplifting love and kindness. I am ever grateful for your shining presence and inspiring friendship, my sweet friend. Thank you for sharing in the leaf's journey with me and for the honor of your fave. So glad we share in the gift of poetry. Warmest wishes, love and hugs sent on the evergreen scent of Christmastime.. ~Susan

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/6/2024 4:53:00 AM

Great use of metaphors and imagery of life, an enjoyable read Susan. Have a lovely weekend. Tom

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/12/2024 7:40:00 AM

Dear Tom, thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful response to my poem. So glad to know you enjoyed this verse. Warmest wishes for you to have a great day and a wonderful weekend ahead.. ~Susan

Michael Tor

Date: 12/5/2024 5:22:00 PM

Lovely Poetry Susan. You depict November's Surrender with perfect words that tell the changes taking place through leafs and weather storms and clever metaphors that are unique and enjoying to read. Your wit is always to marvel at. You are in a class by yourself. Blessings...

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/5/2024 7:05:00 PM

Dear Michael, it wonderful to see you. I’m so glad to know you enjoyed my poem. Your beautiful comments and kindness are both truly appreciated. Your visit is uplifting, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/5/2024 11:39:00 AM

What a wonderful November write. A Great Time Of The Year... Have a fun day writing away..................

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/5/2024 7:01:00 PM

Dear Paula, thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful comments. Thank you my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Frederic Parker

Date: 12/5/2024 11:20:00 AM

Susan, dear friend, dear poet the metaphor in your poem is like a biographical journey through life where like the leaf we come to the same realization...Frederic

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/5/2024 7:00:00 PM

Frederic, dear friend, dear poet, I agree that life lessons and realizations are reflected in the cycles of Nature. We are one and the same with the natural world.. I just wish most humans would realize it. Thank you for your beautiful comments. Your words add value to my humble verse. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan