Susan Ashley Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

October 22, 2020

Published in: PS: It's Poetry: An Anthology of Contemporary Poetry from Around the World – November 27, 2020

~ Eighth Place ~
Premiere Contest: Premiere V - Open
Sponsor: Rob Carmack

~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon - Mile 12
Sponsor: Mark Toney

*Wire Walker (composed June 14, 2020 and posted to PoetrySoup on October 22, 2020)  was the initial exploration of the themes of infidelity and love triangles. It was the prelude to Wander-Lust (composed July 18, 2020 and posted to PoetrySoup September 23, 2020). The final companion piece; A Kept Woman (composed August 5, 2020 and posted to PoetrySoup on July 16, 2022) concludes this poetic series.*

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Wire Walker

There’s the tightrope for you to walk, wire walker —

defying the gravity of reality and the reality of gravity
you know damn well he won't catch you when you fall
as your sticky grip on the star’s razor edge slips

back away from the black back-alley -
use the street’s angles and curves to your advantage
run! from the rouse of his lure
as the lore is as sordid as it is euphoric - 
ruined as you are by the ruse of his rune
fade to disappearance with distance
ride the rift of spindrift; a smoke screen 
as if you were never here 

but the territorial she-wolf knows…
she dreams of pouring rain pooling on a blurry beach 
though she may choose not to open sand-puddled eyes
intuition is not blind and instincts are hackled —
for she’s downwind of dual deception
and her elegant nose is one with the yellow-rose winds 

her howls now haunt your hurricane
passion’s kite - once blissfully lost in windy swagger
brash in its stellar flash amidst a hazy starlit pinwheel -
has returned a stormy petrel 
dark and hovering over self-inflicted wounds feeding on strife —
incised by the rapier side-eye of your conscience 
you seek to stem the red flow of guilt washing up in waves
knowing you can’t dye scarlet heartbeats white

there’s the tightrope for you to walk, wire walker;
the bloodline — that which binds 
a sinful sister’s envies to the sinless sister
and divides loaves of husband-lies for the bronze bloodless sinner.

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Francis J Grasso December 24, 2024 at 5:07 AM Congratulations on your placing in Rob's contest! Well done, Susan!...Fran Susan Ashley December 24, 2024 at 7:34 PM Dear Fran, thank you for your kindness. Your heartwarming words of congrats are received with appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Rob Carmack December 22, 2024 at 6:03 AM What can I say that hasn't been said below. Congrats to you and thanks. Susan Ashley December 22, 2024 at 7:12 AM Dear Rob, thank you for the honor of my poem's placement in your contest and for your sponsorship. Your kind words of congrats are truly appreciated. It's a pleasure to share the podium with the gifted poets listed, congrats to all. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gary Radice September 7, 2022 at 10:04 AM I'm going to be honest and say that this fantastic work took me several reads to take everything in and to come to the conclusion that this is one heck of a masterful tapestry of all that's great in free verse. Your poem does not just have a 3D quality about it Susan, but a 4D quality too.- It's as if the whole piece jumps out at me with all your top class wordplay and imagery. :) Cheers - Gary Susan Ashley September 9, 2022 at 6:58 AM Dear Gary, to say I am thrilled to received your beautiful comments would be an understatement! I am both humbled and honored by the depth and breadth of your response to my poem. Especially, since I regard your poetic gift to be amazing! Thank you for the effervescent elation in my heart and for sharing your precious thoughts with me, they are held in my truest appreciation. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman August 29, 2022 at 9:46 AM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend this is yet another magnificent piece that flows like a fountain from your core of ever evolving imagination and creativity! Line after line drips with poetic magnificence in the hands of a master poet! What an honor to share the podium with you dear poetry sis and be embraced by you stunning poem! Blessings to you on "yellow-rose winds" filled with the fragrance of grace. Susan Ashley September 6, 2022 at 8:49 AM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, your precious words take my breath away. Thank you for your return visit, my sweet poetry sister, I am humbled and honored by your beautiful, kind and generous response to my poem. It is, indeed, a great honor to share the podium with you, dear Sam, and to embrace in poetic fellowship and inspiring friendship with you. You are such a grand and gifted poetess whose works of written art fill me with the beauty of your imagination, heart and soul. Warmest wishes sent on the gentle sweep of September wings.. ~Susan

Lin Lane August 28, 2022 at 3:11 AM Susan, some of your phrasing allows a reader to see the depth of your imagination and poetic skill. "...sand-puddled eyes." Congratulations once again! Susan Ashley September 6, 2022 at 8:23 AM Dear Lin, thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me and for extending your heartwarming congrats. Both are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Watt August 27, 2022 at 6:29 PM Susan Ashley, my dear talented beyond belief PS-PS, if ever I were to teach a class in free verse, yours would be my textbook. Your elegant internal rhymes (the rift of spindrift), clever word pairings (the ruse of his rune), alliterative literary alliances (downwind of dual deception), intense imagery (street’s angles and curves), emotional depth charges (dark and hovering over self-inflicted wounds), amazing phrasing that I wish I had come up with (gravity of reality and the reality of gravity). I marvel at your mastery and exult in the reflected glory of your continued success in the markathon. Warmly ~ your PoBro Susan Ashley September 6, 2022 at 8:37 AM Dear "Professor PoBro"! Yes, that has a great ring to it, doesn't it!! I am deeply touched, humbled and honored by the depth and breadth of your breathtaking comments. The elation created by your expressive nature lifts me to lounge upon a soft cumulus in wondrous awe of your ethereal thoughts. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, John, and for sharing your genuine heart so generously in poetic fellowship and inspiration with me. The gift of your exquisite friendship is cherished always. Please accept my apologies for my late reply, life has been full of the good kind of busy-ness lately :) Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Valsa George August 26, 2022 at 9:19 PM Susan your poetry is rather esoteric , having a level ahead of the works of ordinary poets ! The images you use are razor sharp, cutting into one's imagination ! You are ever an inspiration to poets like us to set standards high, though I can never dream of writing a poem of your quality and beauty. "you seek to stem the red flow of guilt washing up in waves/ knowing you can’t dye scarlet heartbeats white"..... Who else can write lines of such depth! Congratulations on your great win. Susan Ashley August 27, 2022 at 5:30 PM Dearest Valsa, you are such a lovely fount of encouragement! I am deeply humbled by the depth and breadth of your radiant comments. Your inspiring presence beams upon my poem like the morning sun, bathing my words in a rosy glow. Your own golden pen spills luminous poetry that spreads across my mind's sky like honeyed light. Thank you, my wonderful friend and gifted poetess, for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for your kind congrats. Your thoughts are treasured! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Mark Toney August 26, 2022 at 8:54 AM Susan, there are so many relationship power dynamics at play in this gripping poem that your subject has to be a "Wire Walker" extraordinaire! You've used the poem's "angles and curves to your advantage" for the purpose of captivating your reader! Congratulations on your podium finish on Mile 12 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 13 has already started! Susan Ashley August 27, 2022 at 5:15 PM Dear Mark, your insightful comments are such a joy to receive. I'm so pleased you found my poem worthy to share the podium with the gifted poets on your list. It is indeed an honor that I truly cherish. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this piece and for your kind congrats. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Constance La France August 26, 2022 at 7:55 AM Susan, beautiful writing and congratulations on your win in the contest ~ Susan Ashley August 26, 2022 at 8:23 AM Dear Constance, your lovely comment is heartwarming and your kind congrats are appreciated. I am uplifted by your sincere words, thank you. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Line Gauthier January 20, 2021 at 3:26 PM Powerful imagery, Susan. Glad this beautiful poem was published in the 2020 PS Anthology ~ Susan Ashley January 20, 2021 at 4:58 PM Thank you for the delight of your lovely visit, Line. I'm so pleased to know that you found the imagery to be powerful. You're so very encouraging! I was thrilled to have this poem selected to be included in the PS Anthology. Warmest wishes dear poetess.. ~Susan

Kai Michael Neumann November 12, 2020 at 1:51 AM loaves of lies for the bronze bloodless sinner ...mot to open sand puddled eyes ...wonderful, Kai Susan Ashley November 14, 2020 at 7:02 PM I'm thrilled by your response to my poem Kai. Thank you for your wonderful visit and lovely appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich November 6, 2020 at 7:24 PM I finally read the reply you left on my comment. It was so interesting to know (i have notifications turned off on things like that, so I rarely see replies left to me) Thanks for your sweet comment on Baby Sister. Susan Ashley November 7, 2020 at 8:16 PM You're welcome, my friend. I'm so glad you were able to read my response to your comment.. Thank you for letting me know what you thought.. :)

Robert Lindley November 2, 2020 at 8:18 PM My friend, forgive me for previously missing this exquisite jewel. I seem to miss a lot these days. With your every magnificently crafted poem you inspire me to attempt to improve my own very humble offerings. This is truly a treasure and a great joy to read. A fav.. God bless.. Susan Ashley November 4, 2020 at 8:27 AM I am so pleased you enjoyed this poem, Robert. I was inspired with a glimmer of this idea while out on one of my 'power walks' last summer, but it certainly took on a life of its own once I returned home and started writing this piece. I love when that happens! Thank you, my dear friend, for your precious comments and the high honor of your fav, both are deeply uplifting and appreciated. That we inspire each other is truly a great gift! Warmest wishes to you and yours.. ~Susan

Chuck Melugin November 2, 2020 at 4:55 AM Sweet Susan...... You write your Butt off! About the only thing I have in common with this Barbed Wire beauty is that it was written on my birthday! You are most certainly a Wordsmith, Jones, and every name I can think of, composing greatness from a heart of gold! Susan Ashley November 3, 2020 at 9:12 AM Likewise, my wonderful friend.. I adore and admire your work - so expressive as it is with tender and moving beauty. I'm humbled by your warm words and indeed, our poetry friendship shines in the great light of its satisfying rewards.. Chuck Melugin November 2, 2020 at 5:56 PM You are my favorite writer. Your work is so great! Your friendship is greater! Susan Ashley November 2, 2020 at 5:08 PM My dear Chuck, you'll never know how much I adore your visits, although you may have a good idea..! :) Your precious comments are held always and forever in the depths on my appreciative heart. By the way, happy belated birthday, my wonderful friend.. my muse tapped into a very inspiring day indeed! Thank you for the smiles your radiant presence brings :)) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Newton Ranaweera October 29, 2020 at 8:11 PM I carefully tip-toed through your lines so that my untamed feet may not trample the beautiful flowers Strewn on their path. This poetic piece, Susan, is a rare garden of beauty!! Susan Ashley October 30, 2020 at 12:17 PM Wow! My imagination swoons in the arms of your gracious imagery! I am thrilled to have your untamed feet tiptoe through my muse’s garden, Newton :) Your comments are elating, thank you for sharing your poetic and precious thoughts with me, dear poet. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich October 27, 2020 at 5:30 PM What imagery, Susan. And she is SURE walking a fine line by the looks of it!~ Very nicely done. Susan Ashley October 28, 2020 at 7:40 PM Yes, Andrea, a fine line indeed! To think that this idea was inspired while I was out doing my power walk and this line came to me: "use the street’s angles and curves to your advantage".. lol! The rest came after I mulled it over for a bit.. The muse works in mysterious ways :)) Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Mystic Rose Rose October 26, 2020 at 8:10 PM You are so far advanced in poetry dear friend, I wish I could write as fluid as this. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem, blessings from my heart to yours. Susan Ashley October 28, 2020 at 7:33 PM I am humbled by your generous kindness, Pixie. As poets we inspire each other and I am ever inspired when I read your meaningful and beautiful poetry, my friend. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, they are treasured. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Kim Rodrigues October 26, 2020 at 4:47 AM Wow! Great imagery! Ooh! Susan Ashley October 28, 2020 at 2:09 PM I thrilled to receive a "Wow!" from you, Kim, a poetess whose exquisite imagery always elicits a big "WOW!" from me! :)) I relish the spirit of your uplifting comments. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Paul Callus October 26, 2020 at 12:40 AM A big round of applause for such a deep, dark and powerful poetic offering, Susan! The content and its technical presentation are 'rich' and require more than one reading to appreciate the hard work that went into its creation. Worthy of note are: metaphor, imagery, alliteration (taken full advantage of), and sporadic internal rhymes. ~ a FAV ~ Warm regards & hugs my friend // paul Susan Ashley October 28, 2020 at 2:04 PM Paul, I can't begin to express the thrill I feel to receive such a grand, uplifting and heartwarming critique. You have, by far, been a constant source of giving light in my growth as a poet. Your rich comments illuminate the positives and encourage my drive to strive and reach ever higher towards inspired radiance. You, my dear friend, are the Sun in my poetic world. Thank you, for the honor of your fav and for the sunshine of your friendship! :)) Warmest wishes and hugs always.. ~Susan

Angela Crabtree October 25, 2020 at 5:15 PM Very deep and dark, Susan. The picture you've painted with your pen is by far one of the best! I can't wait to read the companion piece to this. Very moving! :) Susan Ashley October 25, 2020 at 7:43 PM Angie, your amazing comments are humbling and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me. I'm so pleased to know you liked this poem and found it moving. You're so very encouraging! There is already one companion piece posted here titled Wander-Lust. The final companion piece titled A Kept Woman will be posted soon.. Your kindness is appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos October 24, 2020 at 11:52 AM Amazing write and breathtaking poetry - words and phrases beyond belief - to expect the unexpected from your talented pen is always the case my dear friend - a poetess who will go down in History -'the bloodline, that which binds, as sinful sister's envies to the sinless', - Kudo's my friend, I am blessed to know you and to read your unique poetry. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer. Susan Ashley October 25, 2020 at 7:48 PM My dear sister of the pen, I am so very honored and humbled by your generous kindness. Your shining presence fills my poem and my being with a golden glow! It is indeed a gift you have, Jennifer, to spread the spirit of a joyful love of life and poetry.. and I'm so fortunate that you share your joyful loving spirit with me. Thank you for your precious friendship and for your cherished inspiration, my dear friend. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Silent One October 24, 2020 at 9:31 AM IS this a personal poem, because it is deeply emotive and as always your pen and vocabulary do wonders to make a poem so vivid... I can feel the angst in here, and mistrust and hoping there is a olive branch... Susan Ashley October 24, 2020 at 2:29 PM I'm so glad the anguished emotions of my poem found their way deeply into your psyche, Silent One. That you found my poem to be so emotive is such a sweet reward received. This is not a personal poem, thank God! I wouldn't want to be near any part of this scenario.. lol! I was inspired with the idea while I was out walking.. from which grew this poem and its companion piece "Wander-Lust" and another poem still to come. My walks are very poetically productive.. lol! Warmest wishes my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Evelyn Judy Buehler October 23, 2020 at 9:15 PM What fine imagery you have woven into this dark and captivating tale, Susan. A superb work! Susan Ashley October 23, 2020 at 9:30 PM Evelyn, your wonderful response to my poem is inspiring. Thank you for your encouraging comments, my friend, and for gracing my poem with the pleasure of your visit. Warmest wishes, dear poetess.. ~Susan

Michelle Faulkner October 23, 2020 at 1:17 PM Your internal rhymes are so captivating, especially 'reality of gravity' and 'elegant nose/yellow rose' - a dark foreboding, so perfect for this spooky season~ Susan Ashley October 23, 2020 at 8:17 PM Thank you, Michelle, it is always a pleasure when your shining presence graces my poem. I am humbled by your lovely comments and I am so pleased that you found beauty in my poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Regina Mcintosh October 22, 2020 at 8:31 PM Intriguing and so deep, cutting through the fabric of outer layers, straight to the raw, bare instinct. A mystery and a muse unraveled and rewoven into this beautiful tapestry. God bless you with many more... Susan Ashley October 23, 2020 at 8:12 PM Regina, your poetic comments are both beautiful to behold and to receive. Thank you, dear poetess, your precious thoughts are treasured and your gifted pen is admired. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

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