Suzanne Delaney Poet Verse

Notes About The Poem

The glosa is an early Renaissance form that was developed by poets of the Spanish court. In a glosa, tribute is paid to another poet. The opening quatrain is actually written by that other poet, and each of their four lines is the last line  of the following
four stanzas. 

The Shape of Death

3/2/03
 I saw no way- The heavens were stitched
I felt the columns close
The earth reversed her hemispheres
I touched the Universe
378: Emily Dickenson

The Shape of Death

Because I could see through all the eyes of men, 
Pandora's sin,the sum of every joy and sorrow crowded in
I felt the paucity of greed.
The simple mood of life enriched by guileless generosity        
I asked, "Are good and evil mixed?"
I saw no way - the heavens were stitched.

And stitched perhaps until the hour of death
Because I could see through all the eyes of men,
 I knew of life's inevitable end
 that closure, that omega rose
that brings eternal sweet repose.
That stealth of life in increments
the broken bond of flesh to death
 Within  its marble tenements
I felt the columns close

The columns closed, my mother passed,
Because I could see through all the eyes of men, 
my solace weighed in beauty that we gathered,
in all my childhood hours
In sunsets, birdsong, clouds,  and dew
in measured memory of her face
I turned myself away from our lost years
The earth reveresed her hemispheres

Reversed - that  algebraic leap, 
Because I could see through all the eyes of men
All wisdom spilled to unity of life,
Death un-veiled - benign as the blank page before birth
returning that Divine immortal leaf
like the shape of space that waves traverse,
when split,  between a particle
And  I can say with nothing to coerce
Perhaps....I touched the Universe.

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Ink Empress December 6, 2023 at 11:14 AM This is so poignant so well crafted. I felt so much reading this poem. And i somehow can resonate and i wonder too sometimes is evil and good mixed. Cant tell anymore. Evil comes cloaked in shimmering feathers. Love this deep write and i can tell this comes from your heart. Congrats on your win in silent one’s contest Suzanne Delaney December 6, 2023 at 12:34 PM You are so right about that, Empress: for evil sometimes to appear so benign is the scariest thing about it. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Big hugs, SuZ

Silent One December 6, 2023 at 6:32 AM Epic poetry Suzanne, a wonderful choice for the contest.. Congratulations on having your poem showcased.. Suzanne Delaney December 6, 2023 at 12:32 PM Thanks so much for my placement in your contest. I didn’t realize it had already been judged. I appreciate your encouraging words always. SuZ Silent One December 6, 2023 at 8:46 AM In the contest result section. Suzanne Delaney December 6, 2023 at 7:45 AM Hi SO Thanks for your kind words. I didn’t see where it was showcased. Must have missed it. Your comment means a lot to me. SuZ

Unseeking Seeker May 3, 2021 at 7:21 AM You cast a hypnotic spell, Suzanne! Congrats on your win

Christuraj Alex May 2, 2021 at 5:31 AM Congratulations!

Juliet Ligon May 1, 2021 at 4:49 PM Creative tribute to Emily Dickenson! Thanks for introducing us to an unfamiliar form.

Timothy Hicks March 14, 2016 at 11:27 PM This is awesome, Suzanne. You had me spellbound from the beginning ... and what an intriguing form, blending and expanding, an older poem ... this delights the celestial senses, and the questions no one has answers too "benign as the blank page before birth". Maybe one of these days you can try your hand at this again, and we can do a collab :) Suzanne Delaney March 15, 2016 at 9:49 PM Hi Tim: Glad you enjoyed the Glosa form. I will send you the complete form rules by email. I have been so very busy this week getting our house ready for a Broker's Open House tomorrow. It looks immaculate but I am so tired. Will catch up after that is over. Appreciate your friendship. SuZ

Earl Schumacker April 12, 2014 at 10:09 PM Ms. Delaney You have genuine merit to the Butterflies of Saturn poem. Great imagery. Keep up the good work. Regards. Earl

Poet Destroyer A December 8, 2013 at 6:30 PM Suz, , Congratulations on 'Your own favorite poem contest." I truly miss reading and scanning poems from the winning contest list. Hope you are well! Always & Forever * Linda

Abdulhafeez Oyewole December 3, 2013 at 6:21 PM A very brilliant Glosa! Congrats on your outright win in the contest.

Dr.Ram Mehta December 2, 2013 at 8:14 AM Congrats on the win, Suz

Anne-Lise Andresen December 2, 2013 at 5:54 AM - Congratulations on your winning poem in the contest: - A favorite poem of yours! -by Giorgio V. - A clear favorite poem! - Well done, SuZ !! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Richard Lamoureux June 12, 2013 at 6:16 AM You are very skilled, a wonderful piece.

Allan Koven June 5, 2013 at 10:47 AM Absolutely wonderful in form and texture. I was impressed. Often many of us become mired in these obsessive thoughts and words seldom express the emotions that are sublimated. Your do. Congratulations!

Poet Destroyer A May 26, 2013 at 9:32 PM wow Suzanne, a very deep poem. Have yourself a beautiful Memorial Day, this Monday. God bless * Always~ LINDA

Kathryn Collins May 25, 2013 at 7:50 AM Dear Suze - I am wowed! Emily is one of my very favorite poets and you do her proud. This is masterful. I am so amazed when a poet (you) can bring such beauty into the confines of a form. It is not my forte - no patience. Into my favorites it goes (an enormously brief list) - maybe three; tops four. love, Kathy

Joseph May May 22, 2013 at 7:37 PM excellent write Suzanne ....I love it...fav

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl May 21, 2013 at 10:43 AM never heard of this form but it seems an exceptional write to me , well done will look it up xx

Hgarvey Daniel Esquire May 20, 2013 at 7:38 PM Dear Suzanne, My name is Phillip Rollings (Flipper) I think I told you that already but I haven't written you for a wile. Where do I go to see "about this poem". Is Emily one of your favorite poets? She's one of Chef's also. I like how you revamped the Poem. I will soup mail you later. Chef gave me a list of poets to write to tonight. He sat up in a special couch chair for an hour today. He will be home next Sat. Respectfully Flipper

Eileen Manassian May 20, 2013 at 7:11 PM I am astounded by this write, Suzanne. Oh..you are a fine fine poetess! :) Never heard of this form, and I don't think I'd be able to pull it off. What a deep look into the subject of death by working with the poem by Emily Dickenson. My favorite on the subject is John Donne's Death, Be Not Proud..and Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night. Thanks for your kind post on my poem, the sound of His breathing. I'm touched by what you wrote, and I responded. Hugs