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The Last Stand

An ancient twilight tree now stands alone with weakened cries of olden creak and groan; winter’s rattling winds do rise and shake it - in stark silhouette shriveled and reaching wizened limbs thirst for Mercy beseeching; prides the deep roots he laid down that did knit - Nature bemoans as old oak's overblown. Susan Ashley November 29, 2018 ~ Second Place ~ Contest: The Last Sponsor: Silent One *Overblown: to blow over, away, or across. Late 15c., blown over, passed away. For the purpose of this poem, ‘overblown’ means to fall over by force of the wind.. ‘overblown’ can also be defined as ‘passed away’, which in the context of this poem means ‘the death of’ *Rhyme scheme: AA B CC B A*

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Kurt Ravidas

Date: 8/30/2019 7:20:00 PM

What an oaky oak. I love this old one)

Susan Ashley
Date: 9/3/2019 8:48:00 PM

Indeed, an oaky oak! I’m so glad you love this old one, Kurt, as do I. Your presence inspires me always. Warmest wishes my dear friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Gary Smith

Date: 12/21/2018 1:02:00 PM

Excellent poetry Susan, merry Christmas to you and yours. :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/22/2018 8:37:00 AM

It’s such a joy to hear from you, Gary. Your esteemed comments are truly appreciated. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas.. ~Susan

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 12/19/2018 9:20:00 PM

G'day Susan … if only these majestic aged trees could speak. What tales they could tell us. Sadly, they too fall victim to time - thank you Susan - Lindsay

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/20/2018 10:37:00 AM

Indeed, Lindsay, how wonderful it would be to hear their tales. Losing a long-lived tree is like losing a treasured family elder and their age-old stories. I'm so pleased by your wonderful response to my poem and I relish your meaningful comments. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Funom Makama

Date: 12/18/2018 11:05:00 AM

Lord God! This has excited me to my soul... My spirit dances like a redeemed bastard with your lines... Keep on writing dear friend.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/18/2018 6:54:00 PM

Thank you, Funom, for your exuberant comments and your wonderful visit. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/15/2018 4:57:00 PM

Trees are such a blessing and they speak through their rings which are of great value when seeking ancient knowledge. I love the beautiful poem Susan. Congratulations on your deserving win! xxoo Happy holidays! : )

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/15/2018 7:40:00 PM

Indeed! Connie, I feel like your soul reflects the great wisdom and insight of many lives well-lived, there is such a depth of beauty and understanding that I sense about you.. somehow I know you will understand what I'm trying to say. Thank you for your beautiful comments that touch my heart and for your kind congrats. Warmest wishes for a lovely Holiday Season, my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/11/2018 10:35:00 AM

Hi Susan, A great write, you paid respectful homage to this wonderful oak tree, nature I do believe, listens to kind words, it passed knowing you care! Lots of hugs, Jennifer.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/11/2018 6:29:00 PM

Jennifer, I truly appreciate your thoughtful and meaningful comments and your gracious visit. Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with me.. ~Susan

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 12/7/2018 12:55:00 PM

Beautiful textured imagery, Susan. This sublime poem seep into the roots of the soul. Such poignant poetry as always per your talented pen. Star bright write. Love and best wishes always.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/8/2018 11:30:00 AM

Freddie, your esteemed and meaningful comments so beautifully honor my poem. Thank you for your gracious visit and for sharing your precious thoughts with me, both are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always, my friend.. ~Susan

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 12/5/2018 11:19:00 PM

G'day Susan … nicely written with another sad tale for nature and time. Trees are like little bustling cities and when one falls life moves on and is replaced with life who remove death - thank you Susan - Lindsay

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/6/2018 10:33:00 AM

I relish the beauty of your precious comments, Lindsay. Thank you, your gracious visit is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Wren Rushing

Date: 12/2/2018 2:02:00 PM

A beautifully written poem and congratulations Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 3:24:00 PM

Thank your for your wonderful comments and kind congrats, Wren. Your visit is truly appreciated.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Constance La France

Date: 12/2/2018 11:09:00 AM

Susan, you have penned a beautiful poem for the contest and congratulations on your win !

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 3:25:00 PM

Your inspiring comments warm my heart. Thank you, Dear Heart, for your gracious visit and kind congrats. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Mike Gentile

Date: 12/2/2018 6:54:00 AM

Back with congrats on your top win Susan xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:38:00 AM

Thank you, Mike, for the kindness of your return visit and for your lovely congrats. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~ Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 12/2/2018 3:36:00 AM

Hi Susan...you have responded to this contest prompt with beautiful creativity. I have always found oak trees to be inspirational in so many ways, and your poem amply confirms this. ~ Warm regards & hugs // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:02:00 PM

Indeed, Paul, an oak tree's inspiration is ageless and beautiful. Your heartwarming response to my poem inspires me, my dear friend. Thank you for your lovely comments that are received with my truest appreciation. Warmest wishes and hugs always.. ~Susan

Ann Gilmour

Date: 12/2/2018 2:25:00 AM

Such a wonderfully moving poem Susan, it is always so sad to witness the death of a tree; I adore trees. Congrats to you on your win! Kindest thoughts Ann x

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 9:50:00 PM

I agree with you, Ann. It is sad to see a mighty long-lived tree felled by wind or old age and know that it won't be there anymore. Thank you for your kindness, Ann, your precious comments are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Eve Roper

Date: 12/1/2018 11:12:00 PM

A wonderful well written deeply moving poem, Susan, congratulations on your win.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:44:00 AM

Thank you, Eve, for your beautiful comments and kind congrats. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/1/2018 7:58:00 PM

Such an intriguing approach to the loss of a magnificent oak. 'The wizened limbs thirst for Mercy' just about broke my heart...The death of a tree is such a sad thing to contemplate, as trees contribute so much to our lives...Congrats on your win in the contest, my friend. Season's Best! ~ Gershon

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 9:57:00 PM

Your precious comments and kind congrats are received with such appreciation, my dear friend. Your emotional response to my poem warms my heart and I relish your heartfelt and meaningful thoughts, Gershon. Warmest wishes and Season's Greetings.. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit

Date: 12/1/2018 11:18:00 AM

Back with congrats on your top win, Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:40:00 AM

Thank you, Vijay, for the kindness of your return visit and for your warm congrats. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 12/1/2018 11:08:00 AM

- Many beautiful and deeply moving poems for this contest ... congratulations on your win, Susan :) - hugs & happy weekend // Anne-Lise :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:43:00 AM

Thank you, Anne-Lise, for your beautiful comments and kind congrats.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 12/1/2018 11:04:00 AM

Deep words, a short poem but one that creates deep imagery... Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 3:27:00 PM

Thank you, Silent One, for your wonderful comments, kind congrats and for the honor of my poem's placement in your contest. Warmest wishes always my friend.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/1/2018 9:55:00 AM

oh my, to be overblown in the end! Such a sad one. For me, trees are almost like people and it really saddened me when my favorite tree lost 1/3 its part by a huge wind storm one year. GREAT entry in the contest.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 9:45:00 PM

I agree with you Andrea, losing a favorite long-lived tree is like losing a treasured family elder. I'm so pleased by your wonderful response to my poem and I relish your meaningful comments. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Charles Messina

Date: 12/1/2018 6:26:00 AM

I love your take on the contest just as much as I love your beautiful poem, Susan. I have a forest of trees behind my house and you have painted the picture that rests behind my home. Love this. Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes to you my very talented and dear friend. Happy Holidays ~Charlieku :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 9:33:00 PM

Aww, Charlieku, you leave such warm, rich, friendly-flavored comments that truly I appreciate as much as I appreciate your friendship and your beautiful poetry. Your wonderful response to my poem thrills me and I relish knowing that it resonated with you in such a personal way. Thank you my very charming friend and my very warmest wishes to you always.. Happy Holidays.. ~Susan

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 12/1/2018 4:47:00 AM

How I love those desolate trees that share their barren branches with us despite their chill, I love it Susan, You pen always insmarts my soul. Have a wonderful day, love

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 9:39:00 PM

Indeed, Pixie, the long-lived trees are mighty, even with barren branches, and it is so sad to see them felled by wind, disease or old age.. I relish your meaningful comments and I thank you for your kindness. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Arturo Michael

Date: 11/30/2018 6:58:00 PM

Oak will be missed by many...especial having had roots firmly planted in soil...after all permanency wasn't meant to be...and memories only to be remembered in ink ...I can only give you a big hug...Wonderful write...I feel I'm on my last stand too...let's see how many stands are those...All the best Susan...Keep them coming...

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 9:35:00 PM

I'm so glad to hear that, mon ami :))

Arturo Michael
Date: 12/2/2018 5:33:00 PM

Still got a few roots firmly planting by a river of life...will be around for a while...SMILE....

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 3:32:00 PM

Indeed, dear Arturo. It's always so sad to see the mighty felled by old age or disease.. I hope to God you're not on your last stand, mon ami, let's hope you have many more long stands to go. Thank you for your meaningful and thoughtful comments, your presence sparkles.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley

Date: 11/30/2018 1:09:00 PM

My dear friend, how could I not be in awe of this miniature masterpiece? With its depths, immense beauty, revealing spirit and awesome creativity! You never cease to inspire this old and tired poet my very kind , true and great friend. A fav.... a jewel that sings so sweetly to a poet's heart!

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:36:00 AM

My dear friend, Robert, your inspiring presence is heartwarming and truly appreciated. I’m honored by your kindness. Thank you for your glowing comments and for your fav that add value to my poem and for your endearing encouragement that enlightens my poet’ heart. Your friendship is deeply and richly appreciated as is your truly beautiful poetry. Warmest wishes always my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 11/30/2018 10:50:00 AM

Your ardent reader always looking forward to feeding on the beauty, the depth and the uniqueness of your work of art, heart and mind.. you never fail your ardent reader.. a poetess of a refined soul, an open heart, a sharp mind, a masterful pen emanating from an inward harmony! Your "The Last Stand", the last season, the weakening winter, the cold solitude.. Lofty, in pride and grace embracing the last stop! A Wow to the wealth of your art dearest Susan! A FAV! Warmest wishes, Love and hugs.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/2/2018 10:27:00 AM

My dearest friend, Besma, your golden comments and your fav bestow upon my humble poem the wealth of your insight and passion from your inspiring heart and soul. The gift of your shining sentiments adds honor and value to my work and my appreciative heart overflows with elation for your beautiful friendship. I appreciate you, my ardent reader, as I ardently embrace and revere your graceful, exquisite poetry as well. Thank you, my sister, in both poetry and soul, for enlightening my poem with your glowing presence and for enchanting my being with your lovely light. Warmest wishes, love and hugs always.. ~Susan

Line Gauthier

Date: 11/29/2018 7:13:00 PM

Well done, Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/30/2018 3:23:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comments, Line. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan