Susan Ashley Poet Imagism

Notes About The Poem

February 20, 2018

 

~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: Early Poem
Sponsor: Brian Strand
 

~ Fifth Place ~

Premiere Contest: Your Best Free Verse That You Wrote

Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke

 

~ Fourth Place ~

Premiere Contest: Strength Thru Adversity

Sponsor: Gregory R. Barden

 

~ First Place ~

Contest: Your Best Free Verse 2018

Sponsor: John Hamilton

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The Daughter of the North Wind Sings In Soprano

In riming realms 
of crystal contemplations -
frozen water-vapor meditations
and chilled flutes 
filled with zodiacal-light musings 
of ancient cosmic dust 
dancing in the arms of Sol..

windswept operatic reveries
rise and fall
as her stirring soprano
tickled by the chanting of icicle chimes
gathers momentum
in strengthening sprays
of frosted musical notes adrift in broken chords

she bestrides
a clouded steed colored mother-of-pearl  
flowing with fury
within which beats a blustery heart
surging at jet stream speeds
on the clattering beat of hailstorm hooves
from streamer-skies of the northern dancers

they fly aloft
on arctic gales of lyrical laughter
igniting the imagination
of her freezing fire
burning now with a blistering whip
and a frostbite nip
that sinks its tingling teeth deep

sailing 
a supernatural stage
amplifying—
her aerated soprano soars
in polar vortex arias
as an avalanche of glazed trinkets 
—descendants of her fertile femininity
skydive
in shivering sixfold symmetry
falling 
in fierce flights of fancy
as she cyclones on consecrated currents
with wild abandon
escalating
in twirling trills 
of glass beaded squalls
swirling her iced eiderdown skirts aflare
baring tempest thighs
storming with a Siberian sting!

..and as her electric eyes spark
luminous with lightning
she buries you in a blizzard 
of opalescent mistletoe berries
and wanton whims.

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Sam Kauffman February 16, 2024 at 3:10 PM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, every time I read this marvel of poetic artistry I am transported into "fierce flights of fancy" in a lyrical journey of images - "mistletoe berries," "iced eiderdown skirts aflare!" This imagery comes straight for your poetic genius! Snowflakes as frozen eiderdown! Every time I read your masterful creations I am inspired and awed! Congratulations on your win! Sending you warm blessings on a wind song, sweet poetry sis! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Susan Ashley February 19, 2024 at 7:55 AM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, I revel in your return visit. I remember the joy of receiving your first comments on this poem and the now that joy is magnified so many more times by the depth and breadth of our poetry friendship.. thank you my dear poet sis! I'm so glad my imagery sparked your imagination. Yes, "snowflakes as frozen eiderdown".. sometimes in southern NE, we get these huge feathery snowflakes that fall in a thick fury. They are beautiful and pile up quickly! I love it!! This poem was based on a series of savage blizzards we had in one winter a few years ago. Your warm words, friendship and congrats warm my heart on a cold winter's day. Indeed, I had a lovely Valentine's Day with my handsome husband and I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day too, my sweet sis. Warmest wishes sent on poetic flights of fancy.. ~Susan

L. J. Carber January 1, 2024 at 8:04 AM Congrats on your win, Susan--you do sing with words on a page! Have a most productive 2024! 'Nolo' Susan Ashley January 4, 2024 at 7:07 PM Dear L. J., thank you for your gracious visit and inspiring words. Your congrats are a delight to receive. Warmest wishes for a happy new year, my friend Nolo.. ~Susan

Roger Roger January 1, 2024 at 4:05 AM This is so beautiful... Congratulations... Happy new year... Wish you the best... Susan Ashley January 1, 2024 at 8:01 AM Dear R. B., I relish your wonderful response to my poem. Your thoughts are truly appreciated as are your kind congrats. Warmest wishes to you for a happy new year filled with light, peace and poetic inspiration.. ~Susan

Beata Agustin December 31, 2023 at 11:39 PM Congrats. Thanks for sharing this. Joyous New year to you and your family. God bless you. Susan Ashley January 1, 2024 at 7:59 AM Dear Beata, thank you for your gracious visit and kind congrats. Warmest wishes to you and yours for a happy new year filled with light, peace and poetic inspiration.. ~Susan.. ~Susan

Karen Croft December 31, 2023 at 3:27 PM Congratulations Susan Ashley December 31, 2023 at 10:22 PM Dear Karen, thank you for your gracious visit and kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Silent One December 31, 2023 at 1:12 PM Great use of poetic devices in your poem, which was a great choice for the contest.. congratulations on your first place in the contest.. Susan Ashley December 31, 2023 at 10:21 PM Dear Silent One, your visit is a delight! Thank you for your kind congrats and beautiful comments. It’s an honor to share the podium with you, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy new year.. ~Susan

Unseeking Seeker December 31, 2023 at 5:18 AM Ooooh! What a sublime poem, Susan! Penned in 2018 ~ wow! Warmest congratulations on your trophy win in Brian’s contest and best wishes for 2024 Susan Ashley December 31, 2023 at 9:42 AM Thank you, US, for your warm congrats and lovely comments. Your kindness is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes to you for a happy new year filled with peace, light and poetic inspiration.. ~Susan

Stark Hunter June 16, 2023 at 8:29 AM Brava! I actually don’t make too many comments here, but I really like this poem! It is a winner! Susan Ashley June 19, 2023 at 8:34 AM Dear Stark Hunter, I am honored to receive your wonderful comments. Thank you for sharing your valued thoughts with me. I'm thrilled to know you enjoyed my poem and delighted to make your acquaintance. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sara Kendrick January 16, 2023 at 11:09 AM Congratulations on this great winning work. Way to go Susan Ashley January 17, 2023 at 12:10 PM Dear Sara, thank you for the delight of your visit and for your kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Linda Alice Fowler January 16, 2023 at 10:41 AM Strangely, this poem warms me to the core. Congratulations Susan! :) Susan Ashley January 17, 2023 at 12:13 PM Dear Linda, I adore the spirit of your lovely comments and kind congrats.. they too, warm me to the core, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sotto Poet January 16, 2023 at 10:11 AM Congratulations, Susan, and many thanks for the beautiful work you've produced in both words and imagery. This is a moving and profound poem. Iconic and worthy of the highest praise. Susan Ashley January 17, 2023 at 12:14 PM Thank you, Lasaad, for your touching comments and kindhearted congrats. I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem and I truly appreciate your lovely thoughts.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Timothy Ray April 8, 2022 at 5:45 AM great imagery....spellbound line by line Susan Ashley April 8, 2022 at 7:51 PM Dear Timothy, thank you for your gracious visit and wonderful comments. I’m so pleased you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux March 10, 2021 at 11:15 AM I can see why this has been honoured so many times. Hugs Rick Susan Ashley March 11, 2021 at 5:25 PM Dear Rick, thank you for honoring my poem with your wonderful visit and lovely comment. Warmest wishes and hugs, my friend.. ~Susan

Jennifer Fenn March 10, 2021 at 11:05 AM Hello Susan! I love this. It’s full of beautiful snowy imagery, breezy, and FREE! Susan Ashley March 11, 2021 at 5:23 PM Dear Jennifer, thank you for your beautiful comments. I'm so pleased to know you enjoyed my poem. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance and I look forward to reading your poetry, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Peter Rees March 10, 2021 at 10:01 AM The imagery is compelling and thought provoking. My imagination runs riot, as I think does yours. Thank you. Susan Ashley March 11, 2021 at 5:21 PM Dear Peter, you're right, my imagination ran with wild abandon.. and I'm so happy to know that your imagination ran riot with mine. Thank you for sharing your wonderful presence and inspiring thoughts with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos December 31, 2020 at 9:59 AM Wow Susan, I can understand why this poem is listed as one of your best - congratulations my dearest friend on your wonderful win . Your amazing imagery and alliteration is breathtaking. That happens to me also, I set out to write a poem but suddenly it breathes it's own story, with my pen! This write is electric from start to finish, an absolute masterpiece. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Susan Ashley January 7, 2021 at 9:26 AM Dearest Jennifer, my lovely friend, thank you for visiting one of my older poems. I cherish your amazing comments and heartwarming congrats. I do love this poem and I relish you sharing in the imagination of this piece with me. There is no better feeling in writing then when your pen takes you along for a breathtaking ride! Please accept my apologies for my late reply, my dear poetry sister. Warmest wishes for a happy and healthy new year, my lovely sister.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman September 26, 2020 at 10:54 AM Susan, this is an amazing symphony of cascading images blended by a master of imagery, alliteration and poetic expression! There are so many beautiful word pictures! This is going right into my favs! Blessing and peace to you dear friend. This is a poetic masterpiece. Susan Ashley September 26, 2020 at 4:42 PM Sam, your sumptuous comments are a joy to receive as is the honor of your fav. I'm thrilled and inspired by your wonderful response to my poem and I relish your gracious visit, my talented friend. Your heartwarming and generous thoughts have made my day! Warmest wishes always, dear poetess.. ~Susan

Aditi Mishra June 22, 2020 at 1:35 AM This is an enchanting melody Susan! An outstanding blend of emotions swirling through gorgeous imagery and soothing sounds. Glad I got to read it. Congratulations on your win :) Susan Ashley June 22, 2020 at 12:00 PM Aditi, your kind spirit touches my heart and fills me with inspiration. Your lovely comments and congrats means so much, coming from someone whose poetry I truly admire.. Thank you for sharing your enchanting thoughts with me. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

John Watt June 19, 2020 at 2:08 PM Back to wish you well deserved accolades for your blizzard epic, congrats to my poetry sister! Warm wishes, my friend. Hugs ~ John Susan Ashley June 20, 2020 at 7:04 PM Thank you, my thoughtful poetry brother.. I'm so happy to receive your kind congrats and to see you here again. This poem started out as a simple practice of imagery and alliteration and it ended up taking on a life of its own lol! I love that when it happens.. :)) Your heartwarming sentiments are deeply appreciated, John. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich June 19, 2020 at 1:50 PM another feather in your cap with this amazing poem that you entered as your best free verse. Congrats for your win, Susan. Susan Ashley June 20, 2020 at 6:58 PM Thank you, Andrea. Your wonderful comments and heartwarming congrats are both truly appreciated. It's so wonderful to see you here again, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Ray Zottola April 27, 2020 at 7:49 AM Brain Sparks ! My mind has shorted out. Susan Ashley April 27, 2020 at 8:43 PM Oh my! Sounds electrifying.. or terrifying.. depending on how much of a risk-taker you are.. as a precautionary measure, a circuit breaker will be installed immediately! :)) Thank you for your wonderful visit and glowing comments, Ray. I hope your power's been restored.. lol. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Watt April 25, 2020 at 2:32 AM Windswept operatic reveries, indeed! I can see why this is such a popular write, my dear Susan! Bombast of Wagnerian magnitude took me on a fierce flight of fancy, a journey I was most willing to take; of music and tempest and dance and blizzard with phrasing divine! Oh, what a blessing to know you and your poetry. Awesome and powerful! Susan Ashley April 25, 2020 at 7:11 PM Your comments thrill me to no end, John! I had to look up Wagnerian and learned about Richard Wagner - thank you very much :)) The fanciful drama of this poem was inspired by a series (approx. 8 in six weeks) of severe blizzards we experienced here in my beloved South Coast of Mass. a few years ago, that were indeed, Wagnerian in their massive scale and intensity! It was unlike anything seen before. Historic!! But since I happen to love snow - I loved it in all its insane amount of tropical storm/ hurricane force winds and yards upon yards of accumulating snow! We had huge snow piles in Boston till July.. lol!! Your heartwarming kindness and inspiring comments lift my spirits to the heavens, my wonderful friend. I'm so glad you reveled in this journey for I reveled in writing it! Warmest wishes always, dear poet.. ~Susan

Charlie Knowlton December 26, 2019 at 10:19 AM Congrats on making the top 100 Susan. Such a great poem and well deserving. Susan Ashley January 6, 2020 at 7:35 PM Thank you, Charlie, for reading one of my older poems and for your kind congrats. Your wonderful comments warm my heart. Best wishes for the new year, my friend.. ~Susan

John Hamilton September 26, 2019 at 1:24 PM Just passed by to tell you that this poem is in the top 100 all time. I knew this was special, now the whole world will see it, as it should! Susan Ashley September 28, 2019 at 9:08 PM Thank you, John, for your heartwarming visit and for letting me know about my poem being on the top 100 all time list - that's as humbling as it is wonderful. Your words of appreciation for my poem and your kindness move me deeply, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Val Jennings April 24, 2019 at 11:37 AM A very thoughtful and captivating poem. Truly deserving of praise and recognition. thank you for sharing. Susan Ashley April 24, 2019 at 7:22 PM Your lovely and generous comments are received with joy, Val. Thank you for your gracious visit and for your kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

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