Notes About The Poem

July 6, 2025

~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2025 Poetry Marathon Mile 17
Sponsor: Mark Toney



 

When The Bed Burns

Tongues of solar flare  writhe  in combat kiss
     —flame-throwers unleashed
iron words  h a m m e r e d  in fire   
      ferrous words melt-morph into heart-welts 
  once under skin
               hear the fevered air burn with cheers;  
                
   c a c k l e s  of  c r a c k l e s  and  h  -i  -s  -s -s

bellies of tears full of fire; fire feeds on gasoline tears
  
     fire-eaters’ —bellies full of flames
               turn inside-out; fire-breathers shape-shift
      from love doves to squawk hawks

bonfire of marital bliss consumed by wildfire
desolation burns holes in lacy  i  n* t  i* m  a* c  y

  ashes 
              fall 
                   from 
                         s o l o     
                                   cigarettes       
  . . . nuclear winter in summer

t h r o a t s  of songbirds   c h a r r e d    

     .  .   . silence

follows blaring —w  h  o  o  s  h— of serpent fire
      
         purification in cremation of all OratiOn sound

     liability  and  liberation
animate to dissipate in snaky smoke of HeLL-wraiths

apathy clouds form   they rain on red heat
       smother a smolder       mother a cease fire
  ember-ice;  scalds    freezes     t–h–a–w–s
whets flesh   — and wets fire extinguished flower bed

ashes laid down  
    —passion’s quiet confetti  paves a path—
                          
                          w. a. i. t. s      

— s l e e p w a l k s                

                                      … d  r  e  a  m  s
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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12
Radice Avatar
September 25, 2025 at 5:28 AM
I'm not sure which leg of the marathon we are at but I've just spent a lovely morning reading the poems of others that have had me proclaiming poetry is alive and thriving at Poetry Soup. And then some!! :) Susan, your masterful use of the English language has me smiling and sitting back in awe. Such great work. You and your poetry are on fire that's for sure!! :) Cheers - Gary
Ashley Avatar
September 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Dear Gary, I wholeheartedly agree that "poetry is alive and thriving at Poetry Soup. And then some!!" Mark's marathon contests are a great showcase for so many poets here. You made me chuckle with "You and your poetry are on fire" - no pun intended, I'm sure :)) Thank you, Gary, for your wonderful visit and inspiring words. Your esteemed thoughts means a lot to me. Your poetry friendship is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes, dear friend.. ~Susan
Godwin Avatar
September 22, 2025 at 8:36 AM
CONGRATULATIONS on your placement with this unique write. I'm so glad you made it again (the girl power rocks on.) Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Ashley Avatar
September 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Dearest CayCay, thank you for the honor of your visit and kind congrats. Your precious thoughts are held in my deepest appreciation. When I think of "girl power", I think of you. Warmest wishes, my dear poet friend.. ~Susan
George Avatar
September 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
"bonfire of marital bliss consumed by wildfire desolation burns holes in lacy i n* t i* m a* c y" To what wild chaos, the disruption of a relationship can lead to. Your ability to dramatise a situation is extraordinary. "iron words h a m m e r e d in fire".... how deep will be the burn! There is the the torrid heat of summer and the burn of fire in your lines. Dear Susan, hearty Congratulations, as I see you as the front runner of the Marathon.
Ashley Avatar
September 27, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Dearest Valsa, I revel in the delight of your return visit. Your thoughts are so beautifully expressed, I'm honored to receive your precious thoughts and your hearty congrats. Thank you for feeling the "the torrid heat of summer and the burn of fire" in my verse. Your poet's heart and soul allows you to feel the heart and soul of a fellow poet. Your friendship is treasured. Warmest wishes, my soulful poet friend.. ~Susan
Rose  Avatar
September 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
excellent penmanship dear poetess, congrats on your wn
Ashley Avatar
September 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Dear Rose, thank you for your gracious visit and kind congrats. I appreciate your poetic presence here and your wonderful thoughts. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan
Medders Tobechi Avatar
September 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
A very interesting poem on relationships and the fire in them. Glad they got to sleep. Well done. Congratulations, Susan. Blessings, Janis.
Ashley Avatar
September 27, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Dear Janis, your thoughtful comments and warm congrats are a joy to receive. Thank you for your wonderful visit, your poetic presence here is inspiring. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan
Toney Avatar
September 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Susan, a spectacular display of the “wildfire desolation” of intimacy when love turns to ash. You manage the pyrotechnics well. ;-) Congratulations on your second place win on Mile 17 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 18 has already started.
Ashley Avatar
September 26, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Dear Mark, I'm elated by your remarks, especially that I "manage the pyrotechnics well" lol! Your wonderful response to my poem and your kind congrats are received with appreciation. It's an honor to be among the gifted poets recognized on your esteemed win list. Thank you for your tireless sponsorship as well. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Zottola Avatar
September 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
It took 30 minutes for me to calm down. I'll re-read it tonight before bed.?? WOW! Z
Ashley Avatar
September 26, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Dear Ray, thank you for your gracious visit and and kind remarks. It's wonderful to see you amongst the PS pages again. Will visit your poetry very soon. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan
Derden Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Your poem is a volcanic eruption of emotion and imagery—raw, relentless, and masterfully chaotic. The typography and pacing mirror the violence and aftermath of love’s combustion. Each metaphor scorches, each pause breathes smoke. It’s not just poetry—it’s a reckoning.
Ashley Avatar
September 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Dear Danny, your insightful response and dynamic review of my poem is truly appreciated. Your comments are beautifully expressed and a thrill to receive. Thank you for your gracious visit and for sharing your thoughts so eloquently. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Freie Avatar
September 9, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Gee Susan, with all the heat emanating from your poem, this Squawk Hawk needs to invest in some serious fire insurance. My biscuits are burnin'!
Ashley Avatar
September 9, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Lol! "biscuits are burnin'!" Dear Randy, it's nice to see you amongst the PS pages. Thank you for your lighthearted response to my poem. It needs a little levity with all its fiery intensity :)) It's a pleasure to receive your comments, my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Dietrich Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Love how you patterned your fabulous images here
Ashley Avatar
August 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Dear Andrea, thank you for your uplifting words. I’m always so happy and grateful when you visit. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Chiri Avatar
August 10, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Ahhh sane sissy perfectly written I couldn’t have done a better job if I had tried! When will you teach me your swag!:( lol! You are amazing my dear sissy! But those damn unicorns are just straight outta control! WTF happened? They just went wild when they seen me! Haha! Maybe they missed me huh? ;) the treehouse is still standing but had to re-enforce a couple of spots but I’m quite sure it will stand until the end of time! One day maybe our grand children will explore it as we have! ;)
Ashley Avatar
August 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Dear insane sissy, you overflow with poetic swag and every kind of swag.. you’re the swag queen! :)) And yes, since you’ve been away the uni’s have become quite naughty.. the lil devils! But Dragon Fire’s back in town so they better just back down lol! Thank you for your kind words and wonderful visit. Let’s raise our glasses of bubbly, to us and the tree house, of course it will stand til the end of time, we built it hehe! Warmest wishes and love.. the sane one ;)
Lamoureux Avatar
July 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Not only well written, also visually appealing.
Ashley Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Dear Richard, I appreciate both your kind visit and lovely thoughts. Warmest wishes and many thanks to you.. ~Susan
Gentile Avatar
July 16, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Susan, your so very distinctive lines of passion offer such metaphoric understanding which resonate deeply and richly with intense imagery! So well done!! Happy Wednesday xxoo
Ashley Avatar
July 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Dear Mike, thank you for your gracious visit and for your beautiful comments. It's always wonderful when your insightful, poetic presence graces one of my poems. Happy Friday to you :) Warmest wishes, my soulful poet friend.. ~Susan
Etgen-Baker Avatar
July 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
outstanding imagery, Susan! The dichotomies left me breathless. The format was engaging...an all around amazing creation. Have to FAV. Sara
Ashley Avatar
July 18, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Dearest Sara, it's so wonderful to see you! I'm thrilled that my poem, with its contrasts and contradictions, left you "breathless". Your comments have left me breathless as well! Thank you for gracing my poem with your inspiring poetic presence and with your uplifting words. I am deeply honored by your fav as well. Warmest wishes with appreciation.. ~Susan
Rose  Avatar
July 13, 2025 at 3:45 PM
May she have to dream no more of bad days and only good days ahead, after the ordeal, dear Susan, did I read this right ?
Ashley Avatar
July 18, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Dear Rose, my poet friend, it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for your gracious visit. Indeed, may we all "dream no more of bad days and only good days ahead, after the ordeal"; like our couple (someone) depicted in the poem. Yes, this piece is about the duality of romantic passion in a relationship.. how the fire of passion can be both beautiful and destructive.. love vs jealousy, kindness vs anger, caring vs apathy and so on and so on… Your comments are treasured. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Anaya Avatar
July 13, 2025 at 11:55 AM
The contrasting effect is fire and ice The power you hold in wordwright Mouth gaping as I ride along with the fire serpent A creative display makes it all the more dramatic! Best of luck in the contest, as I see it you are already the winning poet ~ Cheers, Anaya ,)
Ashley Avatar
July 18, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Dearest Anaya, my soulful and golden poetry friend, I relish your response to my poem and revel in taking the "fire serpent" verse-ride with you! Thank you for your amazing comments, I am so appreciative of your poetic heart and am so gratified by your precious thoughts. Your faith in my poetry inspires me, my sweet poetry sis. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Baker Avatar
July 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Amazing poetry, Susan, a winner in my book. I love the passion and power throughout your poem. The imagery is outstanding as you take the reader into the duality of relationships. The unbelievable fervor that the wildfire of passion can bring a relationship, vs the destructive possibilities of the same passion being misplaced and destroying a relationship. the last three lines provide a tension release that is soothing. Thanks for sharing your gift of poetry with us, my dear friend. Bill
Ashley Avatar
July 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Dear Bill, it's wonderful to see your poetic presence gracing the pages of PS again. Your comments are powerfully uplifting.. I'm so glad you thought highly of my humble offering, and gratified to know you appreciated the dual nature of the fiery passion I was trying to convey. I treasure your beautiful comments. Thank you, my Texas friend, for your gracious visit and inspiring words. Warmest wishes to you and sweet Sara.. ~Susan
Gasun Avatar
July 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I stand in awe reading your very creative work my dearest poet friend. Raising my glass in a toast of this astounding entry and masterpiece! A winner for me. Thanks a lot for sharing! Thank you so much also for your visit on my page, loving support and prayers. Hope i'll get better soon. All the best always. God bless. Hugs
Ashley Avatar
July 13, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Dear Len, my sweet poet friend, it's a pleasure to see you! I hope you are taking good care in your recovery. Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you continue on your path to wellness. Thank you for your gracious visit and for your uplifting words of encouragement... thank you for your toast, and let me lift my glass in a toast to your health, your beautiful poetic artistry and to happiness! Long may your golden pen shine! :) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Daniels Avatar
July 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Very powerful, yet subtle depiction of juxta., Susan. Gave me chills, despite all the fire. I enjoyed the inventive creative formatting - made imagery come alive. Liability and liberation animates in snaky smoke of hell wraiths = superbly profound comment on human life. ThkU x.
Ashley Avatar
July 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Dear Ghairo, it's a pleasure to find your poetic presence gracing my poem. I'm so glad to know that my verse touched you with chills and that you enjoyed the formatting. I agree that the juxta is subtle, I just hope it's not too subtle for the judge's liking.. we'll see.. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagery of this piece with me. Your beautiful, thoughtful comments are treasured. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
George Avatar
July 10, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I feel as if watching a chaotic scene of conflagration or wildfire whose burning tongue is eating up desires and dreams. Dear Susan, your poetry is at a level far above the level of poets like me. "Desolation burns holes in lacy i n* t i* m a* c y" ...Wow so poignant and tragic. Love can hurt and often it hurts. The heat of your words, leaves burns. Another poem of elegiac dimensions! Sweet Susan, all the Best.
Ashley Avatar
July 13, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Dearest Valsa, I revel in your poetic presence gracing my poem and in the beauty of your words in response to my humble offering. Thank you, my sweet poet friend, for sharing in the emotions and imagery of this poem with me. Indeed, as you said, "Love can hurt".. it can die.. yet sometimes, it can resurrect from the ashes, if there is still a bit of ember left to burn. I treasure your beautiful thoughts and gracious visit, my dear poet friend. It's wonderful to see you! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Rodrigues Avatar
July 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM
c a c k l e s of c r a c k l e s and h -i -s -s….Wow!
Ashley Avatar
July 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Dear Kim, thank you for your wonderful visit! I'm glad to know that line resonated with you :) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Brul Avatar
July 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
What a haunting write! The way you have woven not just excellent metaphors but word play is just amazing! This is a FAVE!! Stay creative! ^___^JCB
Ashley Avatar
July 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Dear Jcb, thank you for your gracious visit and encouraging words. Your golden presence here is treasured as is the high honor of your fave. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan
Seeker Avatar
July 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Another level! This one is near impossible to beat for the contest. The stunning metaphoric imagery created splits heart’s emotions in two. Simply superb!
Ashley Avatar
July 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Dear Seeker, I’m uplifted by your comments. Thank you for your faith in my poem and for sharing your inspiring thoughts with me. Your shining presence here is truly appreciated. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan
Hind Avatar
July 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This is so breathtaking! " nuclear winter in summer" "apathy clouds form they rain on red heat smother a smolder mother a cease fire ember ice scalds freezes t–h–a–w–s whets flesh — and wets fire extinguished flower bed" I do not know WHERE you got such imagery - amazing job, Susan!
Ashley Avatar
July 10, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Dear Paige, I revel in your wonderful comments. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagery of this poem with me. As for where I get my imagery from.. it’s from an overactive imagination and my obsession with imagination and language.. I truly do get obsessed when writing poems. Haha! Your thoughts are treasured and uplifting. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan
Goldsmith Avatar
July 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
What a powerful "When The Bed Burns" write. Great line, "bellies of tears full of fire; fire feeds on gasoline tears." "Good Luck" Have a blessed day writing away.........
Ashley Avatar
July 10, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Dear Paula, thank you for your wonderful visit and comments. Your thoughts make my day brighter:) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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