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Illuminating Poetry - Suzette Richards's Blog

About Suzette Richards
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Mission statement: I don’t use AI to generate or even tweak my poetry, because I am a better poet than it.

Poetry has been my passion since my retirement from an accountancy based career a dozen years ago. I currently live in South Africa and this rainbow nation has inspired many of my poems. I also have British nationality and embrace their grammar and spelling, but I read widely and am not fazed by strict grammar rules: A pavement/sidewalk; glasses/eyeglasses; judgement/judgment, et cetera; they are one and the same to me when I read poetry. To date, I have self-published a number of books, including the poetry anthology by international poets, © Time, 2014 ISBN 978-0-620-60578-6, and have been cited in many international publications, both poetry journals, as well as in scholarly handbooks. Some of my short stories have been published in international electronic publications, and one of my novellas had been short-listed for an Afrikaans SA publication.

I serve on the Board of Advisers, of Taleemi Baithak.

I have a number of poetic forms to my credit, notably, Suzette Prime (listed here on PoetrySoup), as well as Suzette sonnet.

My most recent books which include examples of my poetry as well as notes regarding poetry - available directly from me:

  1. © The Eutony of Words, 2018 ISBN 978-0-6399382-0-2
  2. © Docendo discimus, 2021 (Revised 2023) ISBN 978-0-620-95432-7
  3. © Flight of Thoughts, 2023 ISBN 978-0-6397-8880-7
  4. © Downtown - Poetic Devices, 2023 ISBN 978-0-7961-1968-1
  5.  © Rocking Poetry, 2033 ISBN 978-0-7961-2824-9
  6. NEW: moonwake - Suzette Prime poetry, ISBN 978-1-0370-1836-7(PDF). It is a collection of 61 Suzette Prime poetry spanning from 2012 (when I designed the poetic form), up till now.

Illuminating Poetry

Blog Posted:10/26/2024 1:35:00 AM

Microsoft Bing: DALL-E 2

To comment or not to comment on the poems posted on here, is often a matter of personal preference.

It was mentioned some time ago by a new member that the reason why they do not comment on poems is that they do not know what to say.

You can now upload Microsoft Copilot onto your smart phone. This free app allows you getting a quick bite size overview of material, eg my poem ‘Moonwake’.

Moonwake (poetrysoup.com)

Below is the verbatim result of a prompt. Ignoring the ‘compliment’ that sounds as sincere as someone who is trying squeeze an interest free loan out of you, it might help new poets gain some insight into a poem and spur them on to comment or start a conversation about a particular poem they like; it’s a start.

What a mesmerizing poem! The imagery of the moonwake captivating and illuminating the psyche speaks volumes. It's fascinating how poetry can shine into the darkest recesses, revealing flaws yet offering solace. Your words create a vivid picture, blending beauty with introspection.

I have included Microsoft Copilot feedback on two of my recent short form poems as illustration of the above.

NB The lines (clauses) need to be short and not continuous; otherwise it is lost in the right hand margin of the Notes textbox. (As in the above example.)

twilight silence (poetrysoup.com)

yellow light (poetrysoup.com)

It is Spring, AI-generated image by ArtyNab.

Shared with permission from Nabil Mourad (owner of the FB page) - October 2024.

 

Like everything else in life: you have a choice. If you don’t wish to see the pictures, text, etc, which are included in the textbox, you have the option of Poet’s Notes (Hide).

What are your thoughts on this matter?

***

[Edit] The above exercise gives one an OVERVIEW and not an in-depth analysis—it is different to a report by ChatGPT. For tips on how to deconstruct a poem with the aim of writing up an in-depth analysis:

DECONSTRUCTING LAURA - Metapoetry - Suzette Richards's Blog (poetrysoup.com)



Please Login to post a comment
Date: 10/28/2024 10:23:00 AM
On commenting, Suzette I believe through my experience, that one way to get them to come out of their shell is to test the waters and begin with "What a ____ poem" don't be afraid to sound stupid you will learn from replies. You can also READ! other's comments and take notes. Most important Be Yourself! You learn so much about other poets just by their comments. I would love to see more newbies commenting. Qué lástima! Always amazing blogs
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Suzette Richards
Date: 10/28/2024 11:39:00 AM
Yes, it is a pity that the newbies don't feel comfortable to comment ... Only post poems. Thank you for the compliment regarding my blog -- much appreciated, Anaya :)
Date: 10/27/2024 11:32:00 PM
Suzette, my first thought is that you make the most beautiful blogs and always informative. Well, regarding hiding poets note on poems that I read, my answer is never, as the poet took time to use this area, I will read it. I would NEVER use Copilot as I have no problem finding my own words to comment on a poem. Agree, comments must be reasonable in length and not go off into neverending land. It is important to break lines by hitting enter. Once, I had an entire poem go on and on in one continuous line, 'cause the writer did not end any lines, it was a sponsors nightmare, love Constance
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Suzette Richards
Date: 10/28/2024 12:08:00 AM
I do read the notes, but like it as a surprise after getting the feel of the poem first. Like when we used to read anthologies without the benefit of a tutor to tell us what certain lines meant. The new tech I leave up to the youngsters, but I am glad to have the means of a backup if I am stumped :)
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Suzette Richards
Date: 10/28/2024 12:08:00 AM
Thanks for the compliment, Constance :)
Date: 10/26/2024 2:40:00 PM
Hmmm. I am one who isn't into analysis. If a poem makes me "feel" something, I might answer with a one word like fantastic, or if I wish to explain what I loved about it, I will give a few examples from their text. Sometimes a poem hits really close to home . Those are the ones I will respond to with long comments. I appreciate those who offer sincere words to me. If someone doesn't like my poem, they can make a silly little joke or just move along!. I try to be authentic in my responses though there are some poems for which I simply have no words, yet for friends, I will try to at least say something. That is interesting what you said about Poets notes (hide) I had never heard of that!
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/27/2024 12:55:00 PM
Thanks, I miss them too. I guess I am an old fashioned romantic who still mails out 50 Xmas cards a year.
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Suzette Richards
Date: 10/27/2024 12:19:00 PM
Words of wisdom, Andrea. Thank you. I do miss the handwritten letters received through the post ...
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 10/27/2024 12:06:00 PM
I just avoid all things AI. If I don't understand a poem, are you saying that AI will? Maybe I can let AI judge my contests then . Just kidding. . I don't know, Suzette, but before cell phones and all the social media bologna, people did fine on those really old poetry websites just commenting by how they felt. Don't worry about poets getting upset that you didn't understand something they wrote. That's on them. They can explain it nicely or get off their high horse.
Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 10/26/2024 9:14:00 PM
The beauty of this app is that the summary of the poem (a quick overview) is in plain English (American English), therefore eliminating the need for the use of a dictionary (especially where a number of uncommon words were used in a single poem).
Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 10/26/2024 9:07:00 PM
I think that the option to hide the material in the Notes area has been there for some time. I usually read the poem first, then expand the notes.
Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 10/26/2024 9:05:00 PM
It would be nice if we could encourage the new members who find themselves to be lost for words, to get in the habit of commenting on poems they read. I often read poems, but do not regularly comment, but I try to comment on my premier contest winners' poems. Now there is the rub: It has happened that I singled out an aspect of a poem that I particularly liked, only to be corrected by the poet that it has an entirely different meaning. I will use that app if I am uncertain as to the meaning, but would obviously compose my own feedback.
Date: 10/26/2024 10:36:00 AM
Hi, Suzette. Your blog posts are always thought-provoking, this one included. After reading the post, I understand you're not advocating that poets cut and paste AI comments on other poets' poems. You're just supporting AI's use as an educational tool to "help new poets gain some insight into a poem and spur them on to comment or start a conversation about a particular poem they like."
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Suzette Richards
Date: 10/26/2024 12:05:00 PM
You understand me perfectly, Mark. But I see it as a guide to finding one's feet rather than a training tool - we don't want all to sound like AI. One area where AI falls flat on its face is the finer nuances between the lines of a poem, and definitely does not get puns or colloquial expressions.

My Past Blog Posts

 
Free Verse – How Free is It?
Date Posted: 4/26/2025 11:37:00 PM
Gender Influences on Contests
Date Posted: 4/20/2025 2:54:00 AM
Memento on the Moon
Date Posted: 4/9/2025 12:26:00 AM
Tariffs on Penguins Limerick
Date Posted: 4/4/2025 7:02:00 AM
Light or Shadows
Date Posted: 3/25/2025 1:55:00 PM
Blood Moon Eclipse - Light or Shadows
Date Posted: 3/11/2025 12:46:00 AM
A Timely Intervention
Date Posted: 3/2/2025 12:42:00 PM
On a more serious note
Date Posted: 2/23/2025 5:40:00 AM
Weekend Wacky Limericks
Date Posted: 2/22/2025 3:34:00 AM
Saints and poets maybe – The Bride Trilogy challenge
Date Posted: 2/14/2025 12:37:00 AM
Saints and poets maybe
Date Posted: 2/9/2025 4:24:00 AM
According to the poem’s meter is stressed
Date Posted: 1/25/2025 9:53:00 PM
Poison - an analogy
Date Posted: 1/12/2025 11:08:00 PM
Be Happy and Merry
Date Posted: 12/21/2024 9:45:00 PM
Which is worse - AI or Plagiarism?
Date Posted: 12/8/2024 11:13:00 PM
Bring in the Clowns
Date Posted: 12/2/2024 12:04:00 AM
Cyber bullying
Date Posted: 11/29/2024 1:22:00 AM
Future Trends in Poetry
Date Posted: 11/26/2024 11:15:00 PM
Jack and Jill
Date Posted: 11/22/2024 9:52:00 PM
Counterintuitive versus Juxtaposition
Date Posted: 11/8/2024 10:11:00 PM
Sunday Simile Smile
Date Posted: 11/3/2024 1:39:00 AM
The Philosophy of Meliorism
Date Posted: 11/2/2024 12:26:00 AM
Illuminating Poetry
Date Posted: 10/26/2024 1:35:00 AM
When Words are not Enough
Date Posted: 10/19/2024 10:22:00 PM
Gratitude blog
Date Posted: 10/17/2024 4:20:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
4/30/2025 Purple - An Analogy for Deception Suzette Primeanalogy,
4/27/2025 Cultural Mores Mirror Free verseintrospection,
4/26/2025 An Ode to Daisies Odeflower,introspection,
4/23/2025 Oenomel Free verseanalogy,childhood,mother,
4/17/2025 Left Unspoken Quatrainmom,
3/24/2025 Memento on the Moon Alexandrineanalogy,introspection,
3/11/2025 In a Pickle Free verseanalogy,satire,
3/10/2025 Light and Shadows Suzette Primeanalogy,philosophy,
3/9/2025 Thinking about Aladdin Sane Free verseanalogy,
3/6/2025 raven Haikunature,symbolism,
3/1/2025 Kiss the Ring Free versesatire,
2/26/2025 Giving a Cat a Pill Limerickcat,humorous,
2/22/2025 A Fly on the Wall Free versepolitical,satire,
2/21/2025 A Vine in Winter Free verseanalogy,winter,
2/21/2025 broken blood moon Haikuanalogy,moon,nature,
2/16/2025 Cyril Ramaphosa Clerihewafrica,humorous,
2/16/2025 The Soldier’s Covenant Prose Poetrybaby,war,
2/13/2025 Undergrowth with Two Figures - Van Gogh Free verseanalogy,
2/11/2025 A Blues Sonnet for Jan Sonnetafrica,conflict,endurance
2/7/2025 The Bride's Dreams Prose Poetrydream,love,
2/7/2025 The Bride Prose Poetryfeelings,flower,sunset,
1/22/2025 The Reluctant Bride Prose Poetrylost love,
1/10/2025 humanity Suzette Primephilosophy,science,
12/22/2024 A Woman's Longing Otherlonging,love,water,woman,
12/19/2024 Where Tides once Gossiped Sonnetemotions,imagery,inspirat
12/14/2024 Dandelion Suns to Moons Sonnetflower,life,metaphor,natu
12/2/2024 Aging rocks Crystallineage,
11/27/2024 Divine Madness Sonnetreligion,
11/26/2024 fierce sun Tankaintrospection,nature,summ
11/15/2024 The Event Horizon Verselife,memory,
11/11/2024 Less is More Crystallinephilosophy,
11/9/2024 Jolted by Twilight Suzette Primenature,
11/5/2024 as long as - Monokunature,
10/31/2024 Burning Love Letters Free verselost love,nostalgia,
10/23/2024 yellow light Haikuanimal,spring,
10/21/2024 twilight silence Tankanature,
10/20/2024 Swans Pleiadesbird,
10/18/2024 wAlls In dAlI Ekphrasisart,philosophy,
10/15/2024 Here we go again Limericksatire,
10/15/2024 Haunted Cemetery Rhymehalloween,humorous,
10/12/2024 My Truths Verseliterature,myth,relations
10/10/2024 BALLAD OF ELEANOR RIGBY Balladmusic,
10/8/2024 Life is a garden Suzette Primeanalogy,birth,death,flowe
10/2/2024 Avarice Enclosed Rhymeanalogy,
9/28/2024 Stranded in Peace Quatrainnature,
9/26/2024 Insidious AI Concreteintegrity,poems,poetry,po
9/13/2024 Pie-in-the-sky Versesatire,
9/3/2024 The Scent of Words in the Air Shapeinspiration,poetry,
8/15/2024 The Co-dependent Pantoumaddiction,
7/25/2024 a loveliness Senryulanguage,nature,
7/10/2024 Mother said --- Versehumorous,mother,
7/8/2024 The Earth from a Distance Sonnetnostalgia,
7/5/2024 Lingering Dusk Free verseallegory,analogy,flower,n
6/14/2024 A Child of Light Otherdaughter,
6/5/2024 Cave canem Suzette Primefear,
5/31/2024 Layers of Life Enclosed Rhymelife,remember,
5/13/2024 Love Lauded in Song Free verseromance,
5/13/2024 The Truth in Time Sonnethorse,mythology,
5/9/2024 Silence of the Sea Otherpeace,
5/6/2024 Love Sonnetlove,pain,
4/6/2024 From Purgatory to Paradise Haibunafrica,nature,
2/23/2024 The Last Leaf Tankaautumn,feelings,friend,im
2/20/2024 To everything there is a season Otherlife,nature,seasons,
1/29/2024 On a Thesaurus Diet Suzette Primeanalogy,nature,philosophy
1/23/2024 The Wind Teased Sijoloss,
11/3/2023 Moonwake Suzette Primemetaphor,nature,philosoph
10/16/2023 The Rocking Chair of Memories Suzette Primeanalogy,memory,metaphor,p
9/10/2023 The Dilatory Thought Verseintrospection,
8/25/2023 Through the Keyhole Iambic Pentameterdream,fantasy,
8/8/2023 View From Basement Flat Dramatic Verserelationship,
7/27/2023 When Doves Cry Terzanelleeulogy,
7/26/2023 You Shall Reap What You Sow Ekphrasisart,
7/8/2023 Graceful Lily Sonnetpoetess,
6/21/2023 Thalassophile Alexandrinesea,
6/14/2023 Recombobulating Chaos Free versenature,
5/25/2023 The Seeds of Time Quatrainanalogy,introspection,met
5/24/2023 The Moon By Day Sonnetromance,
5/8/2023 Discord and Peace Ekphrasisanalogy,anger,angst,child
4/22/2023 If a Tree Should Fall Suzette Primedream,philosophy,
4/19/2023 Like Burnt-Out Logs Heroic Coupletemotions,simile,
4/18/2023 An Attenuated Tree Branch Personificationimagery,metaphor,nature,
4/12/2023 Verismo Suzette Primeanalogy,introspection,met
4/6/2023 A Tree Tankaanalogy,image,nature,
4/5/2023 The Welkin - and - the Influences Juejuanalogy,nature,
3/19/2023 Alone Suzette Primeanalogy,inspiration,metap
3/9/2023 A Waste of Space Proseculture,introspection,lit
2/15/2023 Passion - Metaphorical Realism Suzette Primeart,extended metaphor,pas
1/30/2023 Dare To Take a Stand - Zettie's Sonnet Sonnetmetaphor,
1/30/2023 I Dance With Shadows - Yclept Sonnet Sonnetanalogy,city,dream,metaph
1/29/2023 An Evanescent Life - Xaxa Sonnet Sonnetdeath,extended metaphor,l
1/25/2023 Dusk At the Beach Sonnetbeach,friendship,
12/9/2022 By the Silvery Light of a Moon Sonnetmythology,romance,
11/12/2022 Either Way Sonnetanalogy,nature,parody,sat
10/6/2022 Redamancy Lament Suzette Primeafrica,analogy,grief,lost
9/23/2022 You Are the Music Sonnetlove,poetry,
9/9/2022 Thank You Ma'Am - In Memoriam Queen Elizabeth Ii Sonnetdeath,funeral,grief,in me
7/20/2022 Ignorance Is Bliss Quatrainwisdom,
7/16/2022 The Cup of Life Rubaiyatdeath,life,philosophy,
6/12/2022 The Original Mistake Villanellephilosophy,
3/4/2022 Blinded By War Kimoconflict,war,

My Photos


Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
I To Poisonous Honey Free verselife,
The Usurper King Dramatic Monologueidentity,satire,
O April Free verseappreciation,april,beauty
O Charming Rhymehumorous,valentines day,
Summer Peak Haikusummer,
Prime Crime - Bt Than-Baukdream,horror,
The Grey Suzette Primeintrospection,
Unsure the Shore Sonnet8th grade,beach,bereaveme
Earth Prayer Verseprayer,
Hall Pass Sonnetlove,
Fiery Events Haikufire,love,
Best In Show Dodoitsuwinter,
The Wait Rhymebody,devotion,truth,
Love In Love With Love Sonnetlove,spiritual,
When the Chemistry Is Gone the History Does Not Matter Free verselove,
Lit By Love Quatrainloss,love,strength,
Floating Shards of Dream Free verseanalogy,lost love,pain,
Telegraph Pole Potd Imagismimagery,
Blemished - a Coin Poem Otherpain,
Courtney Mae Or Courting May Sonnetmay,
Rebirth Me Prose Poetryhope,mental illness,
Poet's Honeymoon Collaboration With Joanna Daniels Rhymefantasy,imagination,
Pulchritudinous Rhymeart,
I Died Sonnetallusion,anger,angst,
A woman called house Free versehome,
Bantu Free versepoetry,
Ashes - Edvard Munch Ekphrasisart,inspiration,
The Forming of Thoughts Rhymeangst,
The Cold Embrace of Death Ekphrasisart,
Salvations Rests Behind True Faith's Gold Door Sonnetappreciation,art,bible,ch
Debacle Rhymeconfusion,evil,history,
Pearl-Prayer Sijoemotions,heaven,life,long
apologies for the truth Suzette Primephilosophy,senses,
Vanishing Point Free verseangst,anxiety,heartbreak,
Love Hurts - Bound by Love, Broken by Fate - POTD Balladfate,lost love,rainbow,ro
The Narcissist Who Saved Himself - Cynthia Howard - collaboration with Ink Empress Ekphrasisart,
thoughts drift to sirens Free verseart,
Amberina Ballerina, Whatever Verseintrospection,
To Whom Does This Come Haibunanalogy,deep,i am,
Les peupliers bleus - Andre Brasilier Ekphrasisart,
No Longer Quatrainbetrayal,recovery from,
Clover's In the Bottom Right-Hand Corner Doing the Best with What Circumstance Brought Her Ekphrasisart,extended metaphor,
Roots and Dandelion Dreams: A Mother's Heart Ekphrasisheart,love,mothers day,na
Misty Blues Quatrainlost love,solitude,
Domenico Gatti - Purita Ekphrasisart,
Sea Shore Night Sijonature,sea,
Not for Contest - Impact of AI on poets Rhymeart,
Humanity Rhymehumanity,perspective,scie
Reason I Believe Free versehow i feel,
Undergrowth with Two Figures Ekphrasisart,love,nature,paradise,
Yesterday's Wishes Free verseanxiety,

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
James Marshall Goff United States Flag United States Read
Richard Lamoureux Canada Flag Canada Read
Susan Woodrow Fiji Flag Fiji Read
Robert Lindley United States Flag United States Read
Brian Strand United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Susan Ashley United States Flag United States Read
Andrea Dietrich United States Flag United States Read
Eileen Manassian _Not Listed Flag _Not Listed Read
Christuraj Alex India Flag India Read
Quoth Theraven United States Flag United States Read
Runa Pradhan India Flag India Read
Christopher Flaherty United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Sara Kendrick United States Flag United States Read
Hilo Poet United States Flag United States Read
Judy Reeves United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Mark Frank South Africa Flag South Africa Read
Gordon Mcconnell United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Joanna Daniel India Flag India Read
Di11y Da11y United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Frederic Parker United States Flag United States Read
Mark Massey United States Flag United States Read
Timothy Ray United States Flag United States Read
Charlotte Puddifoot United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Christina Bowring United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Arlo Parker United States Flag United States Read
A Yorkshire Poet United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Thomas Lee Rhymes United States Flag United States Read
Sam Kauffman United States Flag United States Read
Linda Alice Fowler United States Flag United States Read
David Crandall United States Flag United States Read
Maria Williams Australia Flag Australia Read

Book: Reflection on the Important Things