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The Zebra Mystique

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February 29, 2020

~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 14
Sponsor: Mark Tone

~ Second Place ~
Contest: Most Original Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Juliet Ligon

*loosely based on a whimsical dream*

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I want to ride a zebra and race the rays of radiance through heat-waves’ sailing gradients - a folly wild - a mood untamed elated hands in bristled mane unbridled veins uncorked champagne... yes! elevate sedate heart rate I WANT to ride a zebra stripes yin yang oasis sweet and whimsy rules a drumroll beat as gallop sways euphoric roughness crossing plains of dreamy lushness - a steed’s exotic tender toughness pacing thrills in state of luscious... yes! animate to sate my wait I want to RIDE a zebra savanna grass a grand expanse a lion’s roar - hyena's rant amuse myself with peril’s speed adventure sows romantic’s seed... so gestate date with fancy’s fate YES! I want to ride a Z E B R A !

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Jay Narain

Date: 5/13/2023 10:25:00 AM

Mystique of riding a zebra. Even the locals don't ride it. It will be fun. Very nice and fascinating poem.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/14/2023 7:20:00 AM

Dear Jay, thank you for your wonderful comments. I'm glad to know you found my poem to be fascinating. Your friendly visit is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 10/13/2022 3:53:00 PM

Just had to make a return trip to the savannah to ride zebras with you, waving to the giraffes, gazelles, lion cubs, and wildebeests as we ride! Just love your twinkle-in-the-eye sense of mirth and merriment that peeks out like a meerkat in this whimsical safari that truly elevates the sedate heart rate. Biggest congratulations for your continued success in the marathon and warmhearted gratitude for the smiles you continue to bring with your talent and heart, dear PS-PS. Warmly ~ PoBro

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/6/2022 8:07:00 AM

Dear PoBro, what joy to return to the savannah once again! Indeed, this jaunty safari is the epitome of "mirth and merriment"! I enjoyed the whimsical and expressive quality to your comments - "your twinkle-in-the-eye sense of mirth and merriment that peeks out like a meerkat" - wow! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and for your kind congrats. Warmest wishes… ~your PS-PS

Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/6/2022 10:29:00 AM

Dearest Rhyme Time friend you have shown us your immense versatility in "I Want to Ride a Zebra." I see the little kid with a poetic heart and golden pen! This just made me smile. Your integration of images of the savannah is just brilliant - as always. Congratulations on your win! Sending you prayers, blessings and a hug galloping like a zebra!

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/9/2022 6:46:00 AM

My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, your uplifting comments bring me pure joy! Thank you for sharing in this dreamy little traipse with me, across the savannah on my wild striped steed! He could get a bit ornery at times, what with the heat and the lions and hyenas.., but what fun! Lol! He carried me through and saved the day! Indeed, I am a kid at heart and imagination! Your beautiful comment is a gem to be treasured as is your kind congrats and your wonderful friendship. Thank you, Sam, you are an inspiring friend and an extraordinary poetess. Warmest wishes and hugs sent on adventurous winds.. ~Susan

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 10/5/2022 10:41:00 PM

"I want to ride a zebra and race the rays of radiance through heat-waves' sailing gradients"... what a beautiful beginning to your wonderful write dearest Susan... It's always a pleasure and honor to read your poems my friend... Congratulations on your win in the contest... Hugs... ~ Ani

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/9/2022 6:29:00 AM

Dear Ani, my lovely friend, it is so wonderful to hear from you! Thank you, for your beautiful feedback on my poem. I'm so glad you shared in the dreamy experience of this little adventure. Your wonderful presence and kind congrats are treasured as is your amazing poetry, dear poetess. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Lin Lane

Date: 10/3/2022 3:53:00 AM

Susan, your lines MUST be read aloud to appreciate your cadence and rhyme scheme. It's wonderfully written! Congratulations and it IS possible to ride a zebra.

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/4/2022 1:39:00 PM

Dear Lin, your wonderful comments and kind congrats are received with gratitude. Thank you for enjoying this exotic frolic with me. So much fun, let’s go saddle up a couple of zebras and do it again! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Paghunda Zahid

Date: 9/29/2022 1:42:00 AM

Congratulations on another win lady

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/1/2022 8:31:00 AM

Thank you, dear Paghunda, for your gracious visit and heartwarming congrats. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 9/28/2022 3:39:00 PM

lol what a unique write dear Susan, I would even enjoy riding by and seeing them , if at least I could do that, I love Zebras, congrats on your win dear

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/1/2022 8:35:00 AM

Dear Vie, I relish your wonderful presence and uplifting comments. Your kind congrats are treasured as is your sweet friendship and enchanting poetry. Thank you, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Mark Massey

Date: 9/28/2022 6:57:00 AM

This is pure adventure... beautifully done Susan. Congrats on the placement as well.

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/1/2022 8:37:00 AM

Dear Mark, your uplifting comments and kind congrats are appreciated. Thank you for your heartwarming visit. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 9/28/2022 5:03:00 AM

You have created a cinematic 'Ride' through the Serengeti and we were there with you! Congratulations on your win in the contest. :)Paulette

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/1/2022 8:40:00 AM

Dear Paulette, it's so wonderful to see you! Thank you for riding with me across the Serengeti :) Your heartwarming comments and kind congrats fill me with joy and gratitude. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Mark Toney

Date: 9/27/2022 3:36:00 PM

Susan, you posted this back in 2020, but this is the first time I've experienced this delightful, full gallop "folly wild" ride! Your rhymes are superb and your capitalization of WANT, RIDE, and ZEBRA is brilliant. You must make a voice recording and post it as this will make an exciting spoken word poem. It's a Fav for me for sure! Congratulations on your podium finish on Mile 14 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. We're over halfway to the finish line! Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 15 has already started. BTW- I want to ride a zebra too! :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/1/2022 8:46:00 AM

Dear Mark, I am thrilled that my adventurous romp across the savannah, on a zebra no less, found a place on your esteemed list. Your heartwarming comments are a joy to receive, as is the honor of sharing the podium with such gifted poets. Thank you for your elating comments and kind congrats! I'll have to give that "voice recording" a thought or two :) Warmest wishes, your contest sponsorship is appreciated.. ~Susan

Susan Woodrow

Date: 5/24/2021 7:23:00 PM

you wanted to ride a bison too! I'm worried about you hehe this was such a fun read and to ride a zebra is certainly an idea of a unique mind :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/30/2021 6:02:00 PM

Hehe! You're not the only one worried, Susan. I like to keep the people around me on their toes lol! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this whimsical journey through my dream world. This is the stuff I wake up with - what a way to start the day! :)) Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Juliet Ligon

Date: 5/23/2021 6:32:00 PM

Congratulations, Susan! This is so much fun and your phases are amazing.

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/30/2021 5:58:00 PM

Dear Juliet, thank you for your lovely comments and kind congrats. It is truly an honor to be placed among such accomplished and gifted poets and poetesses. I'm so pleased you enjoyed this whimsical journey. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 5/23/2021 3:27:00 PM

WOW! Love this piece, Susan -this time a different tone of voice from your golden pen - a lot of fun and frolic! Congratulations on your win. This is most original! Love and hugs ~ Mala

Susan Ashley
Date: 5/30/2021 5:57:00 PM

My dear friend, Mala, the fun and frolic of this poem was based on a whimsical dream I woke up with one morning. My dream-world is very inspiring! :)) I am so please you enjoyed the imaginative journey of this piece. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts and kind congrats with me, sweet lady. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Greg Gaul

Date: 2/18/2021 4:25:00 PM

Well, well dear poetess. You are full of rollicking, rhyming fun after all. It's that you're so convincing on your sober side, that I overlook the lilting quality you have to let it all go. So many tiny devices you employ here like the progressive capitalization scheme. Oh yes, Susan one must watch you very, very carefully. Congrats.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/3/2021 11:30:00 AM

Dear Greg, I relish your wonderful comments. Thank you for sharing your esteemed thoughts with me. I'm happy for you to see my rollicking fun side. Please except my apologies for the late reply, life's obligations have kept me busy. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Vladislav Raven

Date: 4/4/2020 6:03:00 PM

Hi Susan, this is such an exceptional write from your golden pen. You let your words sing in s=uch a fun manner. As always, you paint the most vivid images through your wonderful words. This is a journey I am so glad I did undertake with you. Your words and your thoughts sin in my mind. This has to be a Fav. Have a wonderful evening. Hugs....Mike. XX. Stay safe, Susan.

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/7/2020 7:55:00 PM

Hello Mike, thank you for sharing in my delight. This whimsical poem is loosely based on a dream I had.. my dreamworld is wildly imaginative as you can see..lol! But in reality, I wouldn't pass on a chance to make this dream come true! Thank you for taking this exotic journey with me and for the honor of your fav. Your friendship and comments are appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 3/20/2020 4:23:00 PM

Susan, this is my favorite whimsical ride of the week! I love your enthusiastic fantasy of skipping about the savanna on your striped steed! Enjoyed all your rhymes and your CAPS on different words in the refrain - I never would have thought to do that. Big smiles for this one... what's black and white and read all over? The Zebra Mystique! Hugs/John

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/20/2020 9:11:00 PM

Your enthusiastic response to this wild little escapade is wonderful to receive, John! I'm thrilled to read your comments and to know you enjoyed coming along for the whimsical ride.. It was fun writing this one! Your valued insight is appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 3/10/2020 11:03:00 PM

Now, I want to ride one! And it took this lovely poem, filled with color, sight, and sound for me to realize that. Your poem is so full of excitement, thrills, and joy. Very nice! Blessings.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/12/2020 9:07:00 PM

Lol! Let's go, Evelyn! We're off to the savanna plains.. what an adventure we'll have! :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the whimsy of my poem. It was such a pleasure to receive your uplifting comments. Thank you, my friend, for your inspiring presence here. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 3/8/2020 6:15:00 PM

well, this is a jaunty tour de force of language, with some great end and internal rhyme and alliteration! thanks for your comment on my work :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/10/2020 7:55:00 PM

Thank you, Charlotte, for your gracious visit and for your inspiring comments. I'm delighted to receive such kind words from a poetess of such high caliber - your poetry is exquisite. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 3/8/2020 3:32:00 PM

This is very creative, Susan. An impressive poem bristling with movement and euphoria. I think it's time for you to go on an adventure Safari! ~ Warm regards and hugs // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/10/2020 7:49:00 PM

Dear Paul, I am so pleased to know that you could feel the unbridled enthusiasm and whimsy. Since this piece was loosely based on a dream I had, it would qualify as a pseudo safari, I suppose...lol! My dreamworld is quite adventurous! Thank you, for your uplifting comments. Warmest wishes and hugs my friend.. ~Susan

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 3/8/2020 6:17:00 AM

Imaginative and inspiring poem dearest Susan! Marvelous imagery !

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/8/2020 7:59:00 PM

It is a wonderful pleasure to receive your heartwarming words, dear Demetrios. Your cordial visit is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Eileen Manassian

Date: 3/7/2020 3:50:00 PM

How liberating!!! Loved you carefree write... if only I could play with a lion. Hugs

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/7/2020 8:29:00 PM

It's so wonderful to see you, Eileen, your presence has been missed. Indeed, to play with a lion would be the ultimate walk on the wild side.. lol! I'm so glad you enjoyed my whimsical poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 3/7/2020 11:55:00 AM

This poem is so creative and capricious Susan. It was a delight to read this morning. I am celebrating my new tiny preemie granddaughter who is two weeks old today weighed three pounds as of yesterday! Her name is Cosette Coral. xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/7/2020 12:27:00 PM

A big, heartfelt Congratulations to you, dear Connie! How lovely your new granddaughter's name is; Cosette Coral.. I love it and what a precious beauty she must be. I'm so pleased you enjoyed my whimsical poem. Thank you for your elating baby news and for your wonderful comments. Warmest wishes and blessings to you and your growing family.. ~Susan

Harry Horsman

Date: 3/7/2020 8:49:00 AM

Love your innovative poetry, Susan, always glued to every word when reading your work...love this.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/7/2020 9:26:00 AM

Your valued thoughts are a joy to receive, Harry. I am humbled and honored by your lovely sentiments since I hold your poetic artistry in such high regard. Thank you, esteemed poet. Warmest wishes .. ~Susan

Arturo Michael

Date: 3/7/2020 4:31:00 AM

We have Zebra Pics, Zebra feeds, and Zebra rides...all at a discounted price...specials with "heat-waves sailing gradients" even some with folly winds...This is different and very creative...I like it

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/7/2020 9:32:00 AM

Thank you, dear Arturo, for sharing in my delight. This whimsical poem is loosely based on a dream I had.. my dreamworld is wildly imaginative as you can see.. lol! But in reality, I wouldn't pass on a chance to make this dream come true! Your comments are appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/6/2020 5:56:00 PM

Now that I think of it, I have never witnessed anyone riding a Zebra. Maybe you will be the first.

Susan Ashley
Date: 3/6/2020 6:04:00 PM

Lol! Indeed, it's only seen in my whimsical dreams, my dear friend. But if I could, I would.. haha! Thank you, Richard, for your gracious visit and for the pleasure of receiving your lovely comments. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan