Susan Ashley Poet Verse

Notes About The Poem

December 5, 2024

~ Tenth Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 21
Sponsor: Mark Toney

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Surrender To November

The leaf came down
                        it came down
                                        it came down

from height of thinnest twig
                                         a fated swan
                                                            a fated swan

     in youth she bloomed unfurled from sprig
 reborn in green esprit of Spring
            supple her strength to weather storms
  her skin bedewed despite the thirsty sun
        and anchored she sailed the winds until
                         she let go
                                            she let go
                                                                 she let go 

                               in surrender to November 
 
a Fall star dimmed on season’s stage 
         a fallen star in dizzy whimsy whirl
                           ah… 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

— as I am  a l i v e 
                               to myself

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Reason A. Poteet October 29, 2025 at 6:53 AM Creative format and the repeats emphasize your theme well...a lovely read, thanks for posting it, Susan. Great personification of a leaf. Susan Ashley October 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM Dear Reason, thank you for your gracious visit and encouraging comments. I’m so gratified to know that you found my poem to be “a lovely read”. Your warm poetic spirit is appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

David Crandall October 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM I like the formatting and repetition at end of the stanzas which seems to lengthen and deepen the process of acceptance, and it's grace. Susan Ashley October 20, 2025 at 11:10 AM Dear David, I truly appreciate the thoughtful beauty of your comments. I'm gratified to know that the formatting and repetition deepened the emotional and spiritual resonance of this poem for you. Thank you for sharing your esteemed thoughts with me. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan

CayCay Godwin October 17, 2025 at 11:50 AM Love the content, format, reiteration, imagery - a joy to read, then also emotional as it dawned on me, I could be that leaf, any woman entering her Nov as it follows her youth of supple skin and stages lived with brilliant strength and colors. Congratulations on another deserved win. Susan Ashley October 20, 2025 at 11:04 AM Dear CayCay, indeed, the leaf is any woman entering her November. We have no choice but to surrender to time and accept this season of life if we want to live it in a way that's seasoned with the strengths and skills of a vibrant veteran. Thank you for your poetic presence, your thoughts are treasured as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes, my dear poet friend.. ~Susan

Mark Toney October 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM Susan, love your graceful poetry on change and acceptance. Peace in release, not resistance. Your cascading repetition is especially effective. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 21 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 22 has already started. Susan Ashley October 20, 2025 at 10:54 AM Dear Mark, thank you for your inspiring remarks and for the honor of my poem's placement in Mile 21. Your kind congrats are appreciated as well. So glad to know that you thought my poem worthy of a place on your esteemed list. It's a pleasure to share the podium with the gifted poets also listed. Your dedication to the marathon contest sponsorship is commendable. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gary Radice October 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM Hi Susan. Loved this last year when I first commented on it..and of course I still love it..so that's why I'm back to say so! :) Cheers - Gary Susan Ashley October 20, 2025 at 10:47 AM Dear Gary, I certainly appreciate your return visit and your uplifting words. I'm gratified to know that you still love this poem. You make my day, my dear poet friend. Thank you! :) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Kai Michael Neumann January 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM Very deep and meaningful. We are alive and that is a blessing. Loving wishes, Kai Susan Ashley January 29, 2025 at 11:37 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 December 29, 2024 at 4:48 PM A very beautiful and touching write, Susan. Loved it. Have a wonderful evening my friend. Susan Ashley December 30, 2024 at 7:52 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 December 16, 2024 at 10:45 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:46 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 December 15, 2024 at 5:42 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:41 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 December 15, 2024 at 10:27 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:04 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 December 14, 2024 at 11:12 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:02 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 December 10, 2024 at 6:41 AM So beautifully expressed. Susan Ashley December 12, 2024 at 8:00 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 December 9, 2024 at 4:51 AM Beautiful craft... Susan Ashley December 12, 2024 at 7:59 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

JC Brul December 8, 2024 at 8:26 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:27 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 December 8, 2024 at 10:01 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:23 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 December 8, 2024 at 7:53 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 December 18, 2024 at 5:12 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 December 7, 2024 at 12:50 AM Beautiful poem! Susan Ashley December 12, 2024 at 7:38 AM Dear Vilmos, thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful response to my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Hilda Greenhough December 6, 2024 at 7:19 PM I enjoy this poem, especially the ending. It is a story of resilience. Susan Ashley December 12, 2024 at 8:02 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 December 6, 2024 at 5:00 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 December 12, 2024 at 8:52 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 December 6, 2024 at 4:53 AM Great use of metaphors and imagery of life, an enjoyable read Susan. Have a lovely weekend. Tom Susan Ashley December 12, 2024 at 7:40 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 December 5, 2024 at 5:22 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 December 5, 2024 at 7:05 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 December 5, 2024 at 11:39 AM What a wonderful November write. A Great Time Of The Year... Have a fun day writing away.................. Susan Ashley December 5, 2024 at 7:01 PM Dear Paula, thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful comments. Thank you my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Frederic Parker December 5, 2024 at 11:20 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 December 5, 2024 at 7:00 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