Susan Ashley Poet Tetractys

The Hourglass Wears Wings

In shadow 'neath the shining of a soul 
a heart trembles
for her lost 
control.
Hope 
lives 
in Him
who forgives
trespass and sin
as flight with Mercy’s angel does begin.


Susan Ashley
October 7, 2020


~ First Place ~
Contest: Double Tetractys 4
Sponsor: Eve Roper
syllables checked: howmanysyllables.com
10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10


Poet’s note: The hourglass, sometimes with the addition of metaphorical wings, is often depicted as a symbol that human existence is fleeting

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John Watt October 21, 2020 at 9:36 PM A hearty compliment on your beautiful hourglass figure, Susan, *wink, wink*. Your note is instructive about the ephemeral nature of time as depicted by the hourglass, which you accomplished so well. The themes of forgiveness and mercy are timeless and resonate deeply within my soul. You even worked in rhymes and a lovely cadence into a form usually devoid of either. I was fully engaged with your soulful words as I read this; going into my faves. Congratulations on your deserving 1st place win! John Watt October 24, 2020 at 1:49 AM Susan, not only are your poems rich jewels, but I also treasure up in my heart every comment and reply you gift me with. This one was particularly beautiful and heartwarming. Thank you, dear friend. Warm regards ~ John Susan Ashley October 23, 2020 at 4:15 PM Thank you for noticing, John, *wink, wink*... lol! John, I am in awe at how you are able to be witty, intellectual, spiritual, insightful and perfectly charming all at once. Thank you for the depth and breadth of your beautiful and elating comments that allows my spirit to soar. The richness of your poetry friendship is truly valued. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sara Kendrick October 20, 2020 at 5:17 AM Congrats on your winning work. Good job with this design and matching work. Enjoyed reading. We all sin and fall short but God is generous in His Mercy and Forgiveness. Thanks for dropping by my page. Sara Susan Ashley October 20, 2020 at 5:03 PM Thank you for your heartwarming congrats and for your gracious comments, Sara. As luck would have it, the design and the poetry just happened to dovetail perfectly. You're welcome for my comments on your beautiful poem too :)) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman October 19, 2020 at 4:44 PM I love this poem, Susan. It floats on wings of mercy and flies on words of forgiveness in crisp imagery. Love the metaphoric formatting that speaks as loudly as your words. It was a perfect form for your "winged" winner. You nailed it verbally and visually! Congrats, kudos and flying high fives dear friend. Susan Ashley October 19, 2020 at 8:06 PM Sam, your vibrant uplifting comments and kind congrats have me flying on wings of elation. I'm thrilled by your flying high fives and I appreciate the gracious lovely spirit with which they were given. Your heart shines both in your gifted pen and in your friendship :)) Thank you, dear poetess! ~Susan

Newton Ranaweera October 18, 2020 at 6:47 AM Congratulations, Susan, on your win for this great piece!! Susan Ashley October 18, 2020 at 10:35 AM Thank you, Newton, for your gracious visit and heartwarming congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Evelyn Judy Buehler October 17, 2020 at 7:33 PM It is no wonder that forgiveness is a foundation of Christianity-it is evidence of great love and has such healing and power. Congratulations on your win with this marvelous poem. Susan Ashley October 18, 2020 at 10:34 AM I agree, Evelyn, forgiveness is a foundation in Christianity, and in living a loving life, whether or not one has an affiliation. I relish the beauty of your thoughts and you kindhearted congrats. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Howard Kerr October 17, 2020 at 6:14 PM Susan, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your lovely soup mail re my Catnap poem. Such kind reviews will sustain me in my work. It is truly valued by me and will be cherished always. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. Back to your superb and indeed deeply evocative contest entry. A warm and lyrical reflection on human life and the passage of time. A first class award for a first class entry. Howard Susan Ashley October 18, 2020 at 10:23 AM You're welcome, Howard, it was my pleasure to comment on your beautifully expressive and enchanting poem. Now, I am the one to express my deep appreciation for your comments, so lovely as to be cherished as well, for I agree that such heartfelt appraisals do sustain us in our poetic quests. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, my friend.. ~Susan

Tom Cunningham October 17, 2020 at 5:55 PM Congrats Susan on a well deserved win, its always better to forgive and move on than to bear grudges and have hatred in your heart. Tom Susan Ashley October 17, 2020 at 5:59 PM Absolutely, Tom, your comments ring with the precious truth. Words to live by. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts with me and for your heartwarming congrats, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Janice Canerdy October 17, 2020 at 6:14 AM Beautiful, uplifting spiritual poem about where true hope is found! Congrats on your win, Susan. Janice Susan Ashley October 17, 2020 at 7:13 AM Janice, both your wonderful comments and heartwarming congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Rama Balasubramanian October 17, 2020 at 3:33 AM So very true, I practice it for my own peace and happiness. Hate the sin, not the sinner. If you cannot forgive, forget it. At least try not to think of it. Congratulations to you on a well deserved win. Have a great day ahead. Take care Rama Susan Ashley October 17, 2020 at 7:15 AM Indeed! I appreciate your thoughtful and wonderful response to my poem, Rama. Thank you for your kind congrats and for sharing your inspiring thoughts with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich October 16, 2020 at 7:19 PM what a great poem with both imagery and its message. Congrats, Susan. Susan Ashley October 17, 2020 at 7:12 AM Your gracious comments are truly appreciated, Andrea, as are your heartwarming congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Anne-Lise Andresen October 16, 2020 at 8:26 AM - Congratulations on your admirable win poem, Susan :) - Have a lovely weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Susan Ashley October 16, 2020 at 10:54 AM Your return visit warms my heart as does your heartwarming congrats! Thank you, Anne-Lise. I hope you have a lovely weekend as well, dear poetess. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Linda Alice Fowler October 15, 2020 at 7:24 PM Nice one Susan. Congratulations on the win! Linda Susan Ashley October 15, 2020 at 8:10 PM Thank you, Linda for your wonderful comment and kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Eve Roper October 15, 2020 at 6:41 PM Congratulations on your win, Susan , in this inspiring spiritual poem. Thank you for participating in my Tetractys contest. Hugs Eve Susan Ashley October 15, 2020 at 8:01 PM Eve, thank you for the honor of my poem's placement in your contest. It is joy and a sweet reward to be here among the gifted poets/poetesses on your list. Your contests are inspiring and your sponsorship is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paul Callus October 15, 2020 at 10:39 AM Time flies too quickly, Susan, and Mercy’s angel will call when the hour arrives. You describe this process with metaphorical ability, and the hourglass shape fits in nicely, too. ~ Warm regards and hugs, my friend. Susan Ashley October 15, 2020 at 8:09 PM Indeed, Paul, time flies too quickly and seems to pick speed as it goes. Your wonderful comments are a thrill to receive. By happenstance, the hourglass shape was a perfect fit for my poem's theme too - I love a happy coincidence! I also love your gracious visits, my dear friend. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

JC Brul October 10, 2020 at 5:11 PM Oh, what a very enlightening poem! Excellently penned with words that flow so smoothly. A Fave for me. Goodluck and a sure win for me. Susan Ashley October 10, 2020 at 8:15 PM Your lovely comments are inspiring, JCB. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and for the high honor of your fave. I’m so pleased you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Angela Crabtree October 9, 2020 at 5:03 PM This is such a moving piece, Susan. Your formation of characters paints your words perfectly :) ~Angie Susan Ashley October 10, 2020 at 11:08 AM Thank you for your beautiful comments, Angie, I'm so glad to know that you found my poem moving. Such a wonderful compliment! This poetry form does lend itself to the 'hourglass' shape... it just so happened that the subject matter and the form dove-tailed perfectly. I relish your lovely presence here, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley October 9, 2020 at 4:23 PM My hourglass yet holds life and hope my dear friend. Your wonderful poem inspires me to give thanks for our blessings. A fav.. God bless.. Susan Ashley October 10, 2020 at 11:05 AM Indeed, your hourglass is filled with life, light and hope, Robert! It so pleases me to know that you have found inspiration in my poem, my dear friend. I'm grateful for the sharing of your generous spirit and beautiful thoughts with me, Robert. Thank you for gracing my poem with your shining presence, as well as for the honor of your fav. Warmest wishes always, golden poet.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos October 9, 2020 at 11:28 AM An hourglass certainly wears wings my friend and all too soon the sand has reached the end beautiful and so exact of a human life! Best wishes in the contest dear Susan, Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Susan Ashley October 10, 2020 at 10:58 AM Indeed, and for the reason you so eloquently stated, I believe that we need to make each day, and our actions within it, the best that they can be! Thank you, my wonderful friend, for your uplifting and insightful comments. Jennifer, it is such a pleasure to see your shining presence here and to receive your precious thoughts. Warmest wishes and hugs to you.. ~Susan

Silent One October 8, 2020 at 6:18 AM Oh that flight with Mercy's angel.. love that line.. A short poem, but a great one.. Susan Ashley October 8, 2020 at 1:39 PM Your precious comments are inspiring, Silent One. Thank you for leaving your wonderful thoughts. I’m so pleased you enjoyed my poem. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Victor Buhagiar October 7, 2020 at 10:26 PM Great inspirational l write. I feel my hourglass is emptying itself too fast. But that's life. Loved your entry to the contest. Best for a win. ~~ Susan Ashley October 8, 2020 at 1:36 PM Oh no, let’s turn your hourglass over, my dear friend. Thank you for your endearing comments, Victor. Your wonderful presence on my page is always so appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Michelle Faulkner October 7, 2020 at 6:55 PM Love the beauty of the rhymes and metaphors, so full of hope and redemption, this shines like the sun! Susan Ashley October 8, 2020 at 1:31 PM Dear Michelle, your thoughtful and uplifting comments never fail to inspire me. I am so pleased to know that your poetic heart enjoyed this piece. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts, your presence here shines like the sun! Warmest wishes my talented friend.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf October 7, 2020 at 5:35 PM As they might have said in Orwell's 1984, this is 'double-plus good!' Thank Heavens for those angels of mercy. Sweet penning, my friend. Kudos, Gershon Susan Ashley October 7, 2020 at 6:36 PM It’s twice as nice to receive your wonderful comments, my dear friend. Thank you, Gershon, for your gracious visit, your avatar is always a welcomed sight. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Panagiota Romios October 7, 2020 at 5:29 PM A stunning form holding such meaningful verse. Hugs, Pangie xx Susan Ashley October 7, 2020 at 6:02 PM Pangie, your shining presence is always uplifting. Thank you for gracing my poem with your thoughtful comment. The shape and the poem’s content just happened to dovetail in a wonderful way. I’m so glad you enjoyed this, my lovely friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gordon Mcconnell October 7, 2020 at 12:37 PM Nicely penned Susan, lovely wording. Blessings,Gordon Susan Ashley October 7, 2020 at 1:11 PM It’s a pleasure to see you, Gordon. Thank you for your gracious comments, you and your visit are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Anne-Lise Andresen October 7, 2020 at 10:06 AM - A wonderful heart warm poem, Susan - Best wishes for a win :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Susan Ashley October 7, 2020 at 10:09 AM Thank you, Anne-Lise, for both your lovely comments and for your best wishes. I appreciate you being the first to leave your precious thoughts. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan