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The Casualness of Casualties Premiere Contest Winner

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Composed: February 23, 2020

~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: Haibun Heaven or Hell
Sponsor: Tom Woody

~ Seventh Place ~
Premiere Contest: 1277
Sponsor: Brian Strand

~ Fourth Place ~
Premiere Contest: Poem Of Your Soul
Sponsor: Ink Empress

~ Fifth Place ~
Premiere Contest: Your Best 2020 Poem Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke

~ Second Place ~
Contest: Let The Pens Flow - Haibun Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Jenish Somadas
 

~ Poem Of The Week ~
Week of March 1, 2020

_________________________________________________________________________

In the intimate interlace of free will and fate, in the ultimate interplay of time and place, and with the consummate checkmate of my human dignity, all that is.. is over in the stormy, swarming space of mere moments. turbulence rises as sun and clouds intersect - his calm persona A random cancellation fits in perfectly with my schedule. In the lucky twist of a Wednesday morning, the doc happened to have an earlier time available. I arrive and set my umbrella down as I sit in the corner seat, alone with my journal, grateful to be on the fringe of the pulse around me. My thoughts swoon, intoxicated by the lush honey wine of last night’s lovemaking. Behind the arbor of our well-tended landscape, passionate flora grows wild. Sensual ink sizzles in release from my amorous pen. Wanton words rush, in poetic passage, to press their sheer skin against the physical page. I’m rosy with the blush of love even after twenty-five years of marriage. a wild-rose in bloom flower head full of sweet scent - bulldozer chains brush The waiting room is alive, a beehive abuzz. A community gathers, familiar with each other in their usual appointments of personal injury and workers comp claims. Bilingual conversation spices the crowded waiting room. This morning, a Portuguese dish is the topic of discussion. Morsels of tasty details are translated into English. A kiss of the fingertips releases affectionate praise for the saffron infused white wine sauce. Mozambique is declared “Delicioso!” I smile as I recall my own racy recipe; a piquant blend of long-lashes and loose curls, hazel eyes brought to a flirtatious simmer garnished with risqué lingerie, stirred, shaken and served while hot. Voluptuosa! warm breath of summer - pollen-laden goldenrod colors feet of bees Just another typical day in this snug working class neighborhood. Until, a high velocity kick explodes through the door with a blasting barrage that splits and splinters the bones of the scene into a stinging hive of non-stop violence. No time to scream, or hide, or repent. No last dance, or kiss, or goodbye. Black muzzle strobe light freezes fight-or-flight into a staggering slow-motion. Adrenaline and cortisol never stand a chance. Chaos cascades in rapid-fire flash. Shell casings jump lively, leaping from their chambers and diving to the floor in a metallic clatter. The acrid scent of angry gunpowder sharp as a strafe. A cool-minded extremist moves methodically. moving in rhythm not a ripple but in waves - wasp colony swarms Before I understand what’s happening, a force blows me back against my chair and steals my exhalation. Seized respiration struggles in vain to return. In the din, the ding and ting of spent shells reminds me of wind-chimes. Are wind-chimes falling again and again? My waning pulse whisks my fading mind home on soprano notes… Home, to my garden; where breezy fingers tickle the tinkling from decorative metal bells. Air fuses with broken chords wafting a choir of cloudless notes in a farewell aria. How did peach blossom zephyrs sense I needed an angel’s palliative song? Home, to my kitchen; the sunflower center that attracts my flock, rich and vibrant with love that feeds us. Wednesday night dinner, everyone coming over, the chatter, the laughter, my menu planned - but not yet executed. My beloved children and granddaughter, soon to be born, promise me you’ll always turn your unfurled petals toward the Sun. Home, to my husband; the champagne that flows through my veins. That smile, his large-frame voice, his gentle gestures that pull me in, those effervescent eyes that excite me so, oh the lust of our love! We tingle with uncorked joy and overflow with good fortune. A toast to you, my darling; I love you forever. I love you all, so so much. A final tear gathers in the corner of my eye and grows a belly pregnant with memories before it falls. Metallic clatter drags my tapering thoughts back to reunite with my doomed body. The passing bell within my chest is silenced by the bestial steel drumbeat. Savage intent interrupts thoughts, dreams, dinner plans, sentences, laughter, heartbeats, lives. A mortal sin throws a lasso of sorrow that will forever noose the tenderness of loved ones left behind. In this Hell, I slip on a knell from life to death. hush befalls garden broken chimes strewn across mulch - distant sirens scream My soul leaves a down-to-earth hollow husk. Lifting, I am soft; a clear cashmere mist sunlit in all directions. I rise above the bleeding carnage as the last moan dies. The no-longer-living ascend in a meteoric rise leaving precious belongings behind. Mine; a splattered notebook that survives me. A formation of imagination, alliteration and reality; thoughts nestled like flowers between pages. Red petals of rhythm and rhymes scattered across white sheets. Emotional nectar now mingles with the red-hot spill of my blood quickly filling in the empty lines of an unfinished love poem. Sweetbriar falls as a wicked wind unwinds last lifeline-vine from the arbor. wild-gardener wails useless thorns on fragile rose - Moon aligns with Sun

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 12/19/2024 1:57:00 PM
yet another stunning example of your artistry; this epic write has everything, and grips the reader from start to finish..i really love how the ethereal sound of wind chimes transports the speaker back home and into a different scene - congrats on your top placement with this superb piece :)
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Date: 12/17/2024 2:38:00 AM
Susan, A sincere thank you for your generous review of my contest entry. Especially from someone of your stature. I will cherish it always. As for your exhilarating epic, words fail me. I’m rummaging for apt descriptions of it as I type. I adore long poems. Yours is a towering, surreal, atmospheric master class in ingenuous narrative, incendiary wordplay, dreamy sensuality, riveting plot development. Congratulations Howard
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Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:38:00 PM
Dear Howard, I am truly humbled and honored by your gracious comments. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts. I'm so glad to know you enjoyed my poem as much as I enjoyed your amazing haibun. Your lovely visit is truly appreciated as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan
Date: 12/15/2024 7:11:00 PM
Indeed, a powerful haibun with many haiku connections and climaxes. Congratulations!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:33:00 PM
Dear Christuraj, I am heartened by your wonderful response to my poem. Thank you for your gracious visit and kind words. Your sincere congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 12/15/2024 10:30:00 AM
What a nice surprise this was yours! All's fair... I didn't require new poem only. You made us feel every emotion possible: the sweetness of a sex-soaked memory, the minutiae of doctor office convos, the surprise then terror of an unexpected attack, the weird, ethereal feeling of floating above one's wrecked corpse.i could go on and on, but suffice it to say this is a winner on any level. Congrats!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2024 5:31:00 PM
Dear Tom, thank you for the honor of my poem's placement in your esteemed contest. Your wonderful comments and kind congrats are truly appreciated. I'm honored to share the podium with all the creative, gifted poets on your win list. Congrats to all, and thank you, Tom, for your contest sponsorship. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Suze
Date: 1/28/2024 6:55:00 PM
super intense and despite the length I didn't sense a wasted word.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 1/28/2024 7:02:00 PM
Dear J. I., I’m thrilled to receive your comment! Quite a compliment from quite a poet. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 1/23/2024 6:18:00 AM
Dearest Susan, such a stunning poem about the sudden and tragic loss of life in a violent incident and the juxtaposition of mundane, everyday moments with the abrupt and jarring intrusion of violence, and the fleeting nature of life and love. With vivid and evocative language you paint a picture of sensory imagery, such as "lush honey of last night’s lovemaking," "sensual ink sizzles," and "warm breath of summer," creates a contrasting imagery of the violent attack. Congrats on your win.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 1/24/2024 5:35:00 PM
Dear Lasaad, I am humbled and honored by your amazing appreciation of my poem. I truly appreciate the depth of your valued insights. Indeed, these violent attacks against innocents only serve to bring immense heartbreak to communities and deprive families and friends of their precious loved ones. Thank you for your kind congrats and for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Your poetic presence is always welcomed. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 1/22/2024 4:37:00 AM
Congratulations on your winning work in Brian's contest. Way to go. Sara K
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Susan Ashley
Date: 1/22/2024 4:37:00 PM
Thank you, Sara, for your gracious visit and kind words of congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 1/22/2024 1:29:00 AM
Congratulations Susan on your premiere placement with a monumental magnum opus touching sensitively on life, love, and death matters. This majestic work has an enduring resonance both past and present, and applies to all regions. Very well done Howard
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Susan Ashley
Date: 1/22/2024 4:47:00 PM
Dear Howard, I'm elated to receive such stunning feedback from a poet whose poetic works I so admire. Unfortunately, you are right, this awful scenario is not confined to just one time or place. I am humbled and honored by your encouraging words and kind congrats. Thank you my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 12/14/2023 2:47:00 PM
I can't believe I've never read this epic from you about how we've become numb to the atrocities taking place. Everything that used to be tragic is trivial now. How sorrowful a nation... no... a world we have become to take so much for grated and yet have so little regard for life. It's clear why these lines are have been rewarded for the depth of your talent, Susan.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 12/22/2023 8:06:00 AM
Dear Lin, I appreciate your comments filled with emotion and keen insight. Indeed, it is sorrowful to have such little regard for life, what's even sadder is that certain elected leeches sit back amid the carnage and do nothing to stem the flow of blood. Thank you for your gracious visit and esteemed presence here, my friend. Warmest wishes to you and your for a happy Holiday season filled with peace and joy.. ~Susan
Date: 12/14/2023 7:36:00 AM
Susan, Congratulations on your poem for it is a profound exploration of human experience, beautifully weaving together the threads of love, life, and loss. The vivid imagery and emotional depth you’ve captured are genuinely remarkable, making each stanza a journey in itself. Bravo! - Daniel
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Susan Ashley
Date: 12/15/2023 6:18:00 PM
Dear Daniel, I relish the deep, rich quality of your comments. They are truly appreciated as are your kind congrats. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. That mass shootings happen in the US with alarming regularity and with devastating ripple affects is mind-blowing. I'm glad to know you thought this poem had emotional depth, I really wanted to dig deep for that. Thank you my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 12/13/2023 8:15:00 AM
Dear Susan, although this poem is a bit long it didnt stop me from reading till the end in awe of your way with phrasing your thoughts and weaving words in such a creative manner. I especially love the ending the most. Thank you for supporting my contest. Congratulations on your win .
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Susan Ashley
Date: 12/14/2023 7:25:00 AM
Dear Ink Empress, thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts and heartwarming congrats with me. Indeed, this is bit of a long poem, I value your perseverance. I'm honored by my poem's placement in your esteemed contest and thrilled to share the podium with such distinguished poets/poetesses. Your sponsorship of the contest and willingness to showcase back page poems is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 11/6/2022 2:11:00 PM
This poem spoke to me on a soul level. I wrote something in this style that I am going to publish here. I hope it's half as great as this poem is. Truly and beautifully written
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Susan Ashley
Date: 11/8/2022 9:38:00 AM
Dear Chandra, thank you for your gracious visit and for sharing your beautiful thoughts with me. I am deeply moved to know this poem spoke to your soul and I am truly honored by your heartwarming words. Your presence is uplifting. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 9/22/2020 11:24:00 AM
A true masterpiece, Susan. Many congrat's on your win. This goes to my Fav's. ~ Elaine
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Susan Ashley
Date: 9/23/2020 1:15:00 PM
Elaine, your inspiring comments and kind congrats mean so much to me, as does the honor of your fav. I am uplifted and encouraged by your gracious visit. Warmest wishes always, dear poetess.. ~Susan
Date: 9/20/2020 9:58:00 AM
Powerful, compelling, rich prose and stunning haikus, Susan. This is a true poetic gem. Congratulations on your win!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 9/22/2020 8:01:00 AM
Dear Sam, thank you for the honor of your kind congrats and for sharing your precious thoughts with me. They are beautiful, encouraging and are truly treasured. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 9/16/2020 11:25:00 PM
Congrats Susan for your wonderful win.. Great write..
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Susan Ashley
Date: 9/17/2020 9:41:00 AM
Jenish, thank you for your gracious congrats and for my wonderful placement in your contest. It is an honor for my poem to be among so many beautiful and expressive writes. Congrats to all! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 4/22/2020 8:12:00 PM
Your genius is reflected in your thoughts and pen. I am so embedded I had to read three times to tell you how much I love this.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 4/24/2020 9:57:00 AM
Dear Lonna, to know that you enjoyed my poem is so gratifying to me since I admire your poetry so. Thank you for sharing your treasured thoughts with me, I am humbled and honored to receive your inspiring comments. Your presence is uplifting, my talented friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Date: 3/22/2020 5:26:00 AM
I am back again to read this immensely inspiring and very , very beautifully crafted piece my friend. As always your talent, drive, dedication and keen poetry style amazes and awes this old, tired poet. I agree with Richard--this could easily be voted Poem Of The Year! God bless, your inspiration is so truly appreciated...
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Robert Lindley
Date: 3/23/2020 4:18:00 AM
Thank you my dear friend. My family and I are doing well. I have myself been a bit ill but it was my usual- and certainly not related to current deadly virus in any way. I pray such a great blessing to you and yours my dear friend. God bless...
Ashley Avatar
Susan Ashley
Date: 3/22/2020 8:30:00 PM
My wonderful friend, I'm so delighted to see you here for a return visit. Thank you so very much for gracing my poem with your inspiring and shining presence. I haven't been here all that much this past week, but I hope that all is progressing in the positive direction for you, dear Robert. Your golden friendship, kindness and encouragement is always truly treasured. Thank you for sharing your valued thoughts with me and your time with my poem. God bless you and yours, dear poet.. ~Susan
Date: 3/8/2020 9:42:00 AM
My vote for Poem of The Year. What an exceptional piece you have orchestrated. I have the feeling this one just flowed from you. I find that the best pieces usually do. Thanks for this exceptional piece.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/8/2020 8:37:00 PM
Dear Richard, your precious comments are held in my deepest appreciation. I am honored and humbled by your thrilling response to my poem. It didn't exactly flow freely but it did flow steadily.. lol! Thank you for your kindness and warmest wishes to you, my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 3/7/2020 5:54:00 AM
(((( :o))))...my sissy!...proud as heck!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/7/2020 10:06:00 AM
That I make you proud, big bro, is a crowning achievement for your lil sis! Thank you for your radiant words. You make me proud too, bro bro! Warmest wishes.. your sissy.. Illum
Date: 3/3/2020 9:25:00 PM
Congratulations on your POTW, dear Susan.. An absolutely exquisite write!! Totally took my breath away, my friend.. I wanted it to continue ! Flowed fabulously ... A definite fave, dear Poetess! Blessings to you..
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/6/2020 5:46:00 PM
Dearest Robertina, your inspiring comments truly lift my spirits. Thank you for your precious comments, dear poetess, I treasure your encouraging words. Your shining friendship and your kind congrats are deeply appreciated as is the honor of your fav. It's a privilege for my poem to be graced by your sincere and graceful presence. Warmest wishes always, my wonderful friend.. ~Susan
Date: 3/2/2020 7:25:00 PM
Congratulations on POTW! A beautiful poem from a talented poet! Well deserved my dear friend!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2020 9:06:00 PM
Wren, your presence here brings me a warm smile. Thank you for the honor of your heartwarming congrats and for your uplifting comments. You are appreciated, dear poet. Warmest wishes always, my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 3/2/2020 6:55:00 AM
Congrats on POTW Susan. I recognize how much work goes into a series of haibun and just how clever you have to be in following prose up with a haiku….You succeeded on bot counts here. Great poems.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2020 9:03:00 PM
Dear Charlie, thank you for the honor of your kind congrats and for sharing your precious thoughts with me. They are beautiful and encouraging and are truly treasured. Warmest wishes always, my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 3/2/2020 4:14:00 AM
Well, bless my eyes...Congratulation Susan on POTW...Welcome home
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2020 9:01:00 PM
Thank you, Arturo, for the pleasure of your return visit and for the honor of your kind congrats. Your welcome home is a delight, my dear friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 3/1/2020 7:09:00 PM
Dear Susan, it has been a while since I have melted into your imagination. You take me there in each moment. Sometimes, I blush and my heart races. (Most of the time) Actually. This is beautiful and emotional, all at the same time. Congratulations, on Poem of the Week. :) Brandy
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/6/2020 5:38:00 PM
The beauty of your response to my poem sweeps me up and takes my breath away, Brandy. Such precious thoughts so exquisitely expressed. My soul flies with wings of elation upon reading your elegant comments and receiving your heartwarming congrats. Thank you, dear poetess, for gracing my poetry page with your special brand of magic. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Date: 3/1/2020 4:34:00 PM
Susan, congratulations on POTW with your excellently penned poem!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2020 8:55:00 PM
Tania, it is a joy to receive your visit. Your heartwarming comment and kind congrats are held in my truest appreciation. Thank you. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
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