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The Beaten Path

I hold my breath - like a lover held against my breast; not wanting to let it go lest I forget how to breathe ~ I cradle a thirsty thought - nurturing its fragility like a nursing newborn; not wanting to let it go lest I forget how to think ~ I catch my free fall into suspended animation - and my flatline begins to beat again . . . Susan Ashley May 22, 2018 ~ Third Place ~ Contest: Late June 2018 Premiere (Max 20 lines) Sponsor: Brian Strand

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Timothy Mcguire

Date: 10/5/2018 3:59:00 AM

What a great poem. I'm glad I found it.

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/6/2018 9:30:00 AM

Thank you, Timothy, for the delight of your visit and your uplifting comments. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Susan Gentry

Date: 6/25/2018 3:43:00 PM

Congratulations on your win! Well done. :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/25/2018 9:14:00 PM

Thank you, Susan, for your heartwarming congrats and kind comments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

L. J. Carber

Date: 6/24/2018 2:18:00 PM

Wow! This caught me by surprise, not an easy thing to do-- congrats Susan!

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/24/2018 6:59:00 PM

Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me L. J. Your lovely comments and kindhearted congrats are cherished. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Agnes Krampe

Date: 6/24/2018 11:50:00 AM

I love the images, especially cradling a thirsty thought. Congrats on your win.

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/24/2018 6:55:00 PM

Thank you Agnes for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me. Your lovely comments and kind congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf

Date: 6/24/2018 9:06:00 AM

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom's winner's circle, Susan! In addition to your podium prize, you are relieved from having to spend any time with Mickey, Donald, or Goofy ever again; you never have to hear "It's a Small World After All," ever again---and you can take a relaxing, refreshing vacation in a natural setting outside of a Theme Park! How's that for a prize! Best wishes, Gershon

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/24/2018 6:53:00 PM

Oh hooray!!! A one way ticket to Barbados please!! Oh.. better make that two tickets - hubby wouldn't appreciate being left behind.. :) I relish your wonderfully lighthearted and kindhearted comments that purely and simply light and warm and touch my heart my dear friend. Thank you for your lovely congrats and even lovelier grand prize! Lol! Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Second to None :))

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 6/23/2018 7:40:00 PM

Delicious poetry <3

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 6/24/2018 9:00:00 PM

You certainly do! Blue Jay huh, that is SO cool! I fostered a parrot 6mos, whirlwind romance, but not for me, nothing that pierces eardrums or skin. ;) Falconry would be the dream. Or of course a corvid ;P any lol

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/24/2018 2:46:00 PM

OMG! I love it! So cute :)) I share your wonderful love of birds. I've had birds, of all kinds, all my life; indoor pets (parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, canaries, finches even a sparrow and blue jay and both could talk.. lol!), rescues of all kinds, and my back garden aviary attracts everything from hummingbirds to turkeys and even a juvenile American bald eagle once - now that was a special moment for sure to see that majestic bird in my back yard :))

Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 6/24/2018 11:40:00 AM

Thank you! Tee hee, that bathing beauty is "Loverboy" in the dog's water dish.

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/23/2018 8:46:00 PM

I relish your delectable comment dear lovely poetess and I absolutely adore your new pic :) <3

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/23/2018 2:39:00 PM

Awesome, Susan. Congrats on your podium finish with this awesome poem.

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/23/2018 8:45:00 PM

Your beautiful comments and kindhearted congrats are treasured Line. Thank you! Warmest wishes always my friend.. ~Susan

Daniel Turner

Date: 6/16/2018 6:19:00 PM

Looks like I am behind on my reading! Very well written Susan. We all have those moments when we have to take a deep breath and get our bearings. You have expressed them beautifully:)

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/17/2018 4:46:00 PM

Yes, so true my wonderful friend, and a pause to reset and get our bearings can also lead to a moment of revelation and a transformation in one's life.. Thank you for your insightful comments Daniel. Your lovely thoughts and presence here is inspiring :)) Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Faraz Ajmal

Date: 6/14/2018 8:47:00 AM

Ahh, it certainly is a wonderul write, I m sure that everybody has sich moments in their life where they want to hold their breath, should I stop this second, or should I dissolve myself in it, O this second of mine, don t go anywhere, if it s possible stay for the rest of my life like this, right here, but this is life, every single second the moment pass and it only becomes a memory which we sometime remembers and which makes us smile, good luck

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/14/2018 8:55:00 PM

Faraz, I truly relish the depth and beauty of your thoughtful and meaningful comments. Thank you for taking the time to share your insightful contemplation with me, I so enjoyed your wonderful and precious thoughts. You have the heart and soul of a true poet my wonderful friend and your visit here is deeply appreciated.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 6/6/2018 9:49:00 AM

Hello Susan, i like all that you wrote . Have a nice day my friend.

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/6/2018 1:28:00 PM

Darlene, your wonderful visit is a delight and lovely comments are cherished. Thank you my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/30/2018 9:36:00 PM

The first two stanzas, my friend, are the stuff dreams are made of. Thank you for transporting me to 'The Magic Kingdom.' With great appreciation, :) Gershon

Susan Ashley
Date: 6/1/2018 1:16:00 PM

Your transport to 'The Magic Kingdom' was a gift from my heart and soul, Gershon. I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem. Your beautiful comments transport me to 'The Kingdom of Bliss'! :)) Thank you my wonderful friend.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 5/26/2018 4:47:00 PM

A very creative perspective on all those times we experience things that make us hold our breath. May your heart always beat with imagination, Susan! Hugs, Carolyn

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/27/2018 12:31:00 PM

Thank you, Carolyn, for the beauty and kindness of your comments. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 5/26/2018 4:14:00 PM

Life is full of 'pauses', Susan. We stop and take stock of what's going on around us, replenish our energy, put our thoughts in perspective, and then continue our journey. Your poem is beautiful, based on successive interlinked steps. A very uplifting ending to cap it all! ~ Warm regards & hugs my friend. // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/27/2018 12:37:00 PM

Your deep, keen and insightful thoughts are treasured, Paul. Thank you for seeing the beauty in my poem and in the cycles - 'pauses' we go through in our life's journey. You enthrall me, as always, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes and hug ~Susan

Elaine George

Date: 5/25/2018 11:39:00 PM

Your verses are very deep, profound...and powerful, Susan. Thank you for sharing. Elaine

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/26/2018 11:04:00 AM

Elaine, I am elated by your response to my poem. Your generous and lovely comments are treasured. Thank you for sharing your special thoughts with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Yazmin Malik

Date: 5/25/2018 7:05:00 AM

Magic weaves from the pen your talented hand holds! Superior poetry in its finest form from a very talented lady. I felt every word, if only my jannu would feel my love, he will see this is how I feel about him <3

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/26/2018 11:02:00 AM

Yazmin, I relish the loveliness of your heart and your beautiful comments. Thank you for sharing your special thoughts with me.. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Frederic Parker

Date: 5/23/2018 6:04:00 PM

" I think, therefore I am " "Rene' Descartes" my first thought after reading dear poet

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/26/2018 11:00:00 AM

Frederic, your beautiful comments and generous kindness are cherished. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts with me.. Warmest wishes. ~Susan

Joe Dimino

Date: 5/23/2018 1:45:00 PM

Beautiful poetry, Susan; sounds like the birth of a new being, a new poetry in the making. In my mind, the beaten path here expressed is a bud opening to blossom.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/25/2018 11:29:00 PM

I adore your precious thoughts, Joe.. Your insight is really beautiful and I'd like to think of it in this way too.. I think it might actually be happening.. the birth of a new being! Your kindness and depth of perception is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes, my friend. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 5/23/2018 9:26:00 AM

Profound poetry Susan, this seems really personal, I think many will have had such feelings in their lives..

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/25/2018 11:26:00 PM

Thank you, Silent One, my poem was influenced by feelings of empathy for someone close to me. Your insightful comments are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes, my friend. ~Susan

John Gondolf

Date: 5/23/2018 7:22:00 AM

I sometimes feel like I'm free falling through, perhaps I need to step back, catch myself, and take a deep breath. Very nicely penned, Susan. Best wishes. John

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/24/2018 10:18:00 PM

Thank you, John, for your wonderful comments. Your insightful thoughts are treasured. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 5/23/2018 5:55:00 AM

Imaginative and profound dear, Susan! Delighted to read it!

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/23/2018 7:39:00 PM

Thank you, dear Demetrios, your endearing comments delight my soul and touch my heart. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Susan Gentry

Date: 5/22/2018 5:20:00 PM

Amazing. Love the presentation and the poetry.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/23/2018 7:44:00 PM

Thank you, Susan, for your amazing comments and for the wonderful delight of your visit. I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 5/22/2018 3:04:00 PM

Your write pendulous jewels dangling wonderfully adorning your beautiful soul! I missed you dear Susan.. a great delight to read your unique write dear.. Stay bright and blessed always.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/22/2018 5:08:00 PM

Greetings my dear friend, Besma, I apologize for my absence lately, ‘life’ has taken me away from PS way too much lately. Thank you for missing me, your heart is generously kind and wondrous. I relish your inspiring and beautiful comments that fill my being with elation. My soul jumps for joy at your graceful presence, sweet friend. Warmest wishes and love always.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley

Date: 5/22/2018 8:28:00 AM

I see that you also do exceptional free verse my friend. Something that I struggle to improve at.. A fav... Sending you a pm.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/23/2018 7:48:00 PM

Thank you, for being the first to visit and comment, dear Robert. Your beautiful sentiments are truly appreciated, as is the fav! Warmest wishes to you and yours always, my wonderful friend ~Susan