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Gossips - 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 (14 to date) poetic forms to my credit, notably, Suzette Prime, 2012 (listed here on PoetrySoup under Types of Poems), as well as The Tesla 3-6-9, 2017, and Suzcrostic, 2021 (listed under New Poetic Forms here on PoetrySoup), Suzette sonnet (Suznet), 2023 - introduced via an article here at PoetrySoup, as well as the brand new Suzette Swan Arc, 3  April 2025. These all resist AI imitation.

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.

Gossips

Blog Posted:7/5/2025 11:13:00 PM

My Bio on here is pretty much all you need to know about me—I’m not all that interesting. The following is from the Bio:

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

From their official page:

‘Mrs Suzette Crous, South Africa

Novelist, Poet and Anti-Drug Campaigner, British and South African National, Cape Town. Also worked actively with the drugs awareness campaigns at local schools and held workshops to address this problem amongst our youth and adults alike. Presently working on drug free coloring books for our Drug free children’s products & Services.’

At the time when a psychiatrist friend of mine approached me to serve on the Board during its start-up days, I was still married to my second husband. When we divorced, I took my earlier married name ‘Richards’. There is nothing unusual or sinister about this affair.

On the subject of who had gifted me my Life Time Premium Membership—another topic that seem to keep some people’s minds busy with potential mystery. I am proud to announce that it was . I am not breaking a confidence as Suz had at the time, blogged about this herself.

So, folks, as you can deduct from the above: There is nothing to see. Just move on.

And to the person who specifically opened a false account here at PS with the purpose to sling mud and to oust me: ‘Small things amuse small minds.’

There seems to be a pattern here where confidential information is leaked. I was once asked whether I had disclosed the identity of someone (something I was privy to). No, I did not. The mystery, to me, is where the person (I assume it is the hobby of one person) get their information from to ‘oust’ our membersa potentially harmful practice that I abhor.


 

Suzette Richards is a South African poet, writer, and innovator in poetic forms, known for her extensive work in creating and mastering over 200 poetic forms. She has developed several original forms, including the Suzette Prime (2012), Suzcrostic (2016), The Tesla 3-6-9 (2017), XAXA Sonnet (2020), Suzette Sonnet (Suznet, 2021), Florilegium (2021), Phi Poem (2021), The Pirouette (2021), and Zettie’s Sonnet (2022). These forms often incorporate unique syllabic structures and philosophical themes, reflecting her passion for blending creativity with intellectual depth. For example, the Suzette Prime uses prime number syllable counts (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, etc.) with a philosophical statement, while the Phi Poem draws inspiration from the golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence.

Her poetry often explores themes of human experience, nature, memory, and social issues, as seen in works like "He Has A Name," which addresses the pain of civil unrest, and "My Legacy," where she reflects on leaving her soul in poetry rather than material wealth. Richards’ work is characterized by vivid imagery and emotional resonance, often drawing from her South African surroundings, such as the Jock of the Bushveld Conservancy and the Highveld.

Richards is also an active member of the international poetry community, sharing her work on platforms like PoetrySoup and PoemHunter. Her poem "No More Hallelujah" won first place in an international poetry competition, and she has published collections like My Legacy and an Afrikaans novella, Wegkruipertjie. She emphasizes the importance of copyright for her poetic forms, noting that their use or translation requires her permission to avoid paraphrasing plagiarism.

Additionally, Richards is known for her engagement with her audience through social media and her websites, Suzette: Poet and Su’s Short Stories, where she shares poetry, prose, and tutorials on poetic devices. She has also contributed to the preservation of African-centric haiku through her blog, "Mamba 16." Her work reflects a deep connection to her environment and a commitment to exploring new creative boundaries.

Note: There is another Suzette Richards based in New York, known for management and leadership in professional settings, but she is distinct from the poet.

Supplied by Grok 3, dated 6 July 2025.

NB The above is my internet footprint spanning many years. Any connection to the name “Crous” has been explained above, and it bears no legal connection to me.

Trolls need to cease and desist!



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My Past Blog Posts

 
Gossips
Date Posted: 7/5/2025 11:13:00 PM
Tonal Slippage – The Ins and Outs
Date Posted: 6/30/2025 4:45:00 AM
THE AI-BRAIN SYNDROME SYMPTOMS
Date Posted: 6/26/2025 3:09:00 AM
JUDGING GUIDE FOR SPONSORS
Date Posted: 6/20/2025 1:10:00 AM
Suzette Swan Arc - Contest Finale
Date Posted: 6/14/2025 12:12:00 AM
Suzette Swan Arc and AI with Examples
Date Posted: 5/25/2025 6:00:00 AM
Lost in Translation
Date Posted: 5/21/2025 3:17:00 AM
Elements of Nature - Suzette Swan Arc Poetry
Date Posted: 5/14/2025 11:20:00 PM
Klein’s Vase Verse - A New Poetic Form Freer than Free Verse
Date Posted: 5/7/2025 12:54:00 PM
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

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
7/3/2025 Fit In Free versechange,
7/2/2025 Chiaroscuro Otherappreciation,
6/28/2025 Kicking over the Traces Otherpoetess,
6/23/2025 An AI Walks into a Poetry Contest Villanelleparody,
6/21/2025 Morning Coffee Prose Poetrysatire,
6/18/2025 Crwth Englynmusic,
6/15/2025 Limerick - My Nemesis Limerickhumorous,introspection,
6/14/2025 The Duality of Fatherhood Otheranalogy,father,
6/8/2025 Seaborne Longing Otheranalogy,grief,
6/6/2025 Indispersed Echoes Otheranalogy,nature,
6/4/2025 Suzette' s Swan Otheranalogy,bird,nature,
5/26/2025 weeding the herb garden - dadaku Haikunature,
5/26/2025 flower petals - dadaku Haikuanalogy,nature,
5/24/2025 In the Autumn of Life Otheranalogy,
5/19/2025 Excire Otherintrospection,
5/17/2025 Fire Othernature,
5/16/2025 Air Othernature,
5/15/2025 Earth Othernature,
5/14/2025 Water Othernature,
5/7/2025 Liquescent Marmoris Otherfamily,introspection,
5/7/2025 No Way Out Otherintrospection,surreal,
5/3/2025 Starlight Eyes Otheranalogy,introspection,per
4/30/2025 Purple - An Analogy for Deception Suzette Primeanalogy,
4/27/2025 Cultural Mores Mirror Free verseintrospection,
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 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,

My Photos


Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
The Usurper King Dramatic Monologueidentity,satire,
O April Free verseappreciation,april,beauty
I To Poisonous Honey Free verselife,
Summer Peak Haikusummer,
O Charming Rhymehumorous,valentines day,
Prime Crime - Bt Than-Baukdream,horror,
Unsure the Shore Sonnet8th grade,beach,bereaveme
The Grey Suzette Primeintrospection,
Hall Pass Sonnetlove,
Earth Prayer Verseprayer,
Fiery Events Haikufire,love,
Best In Show Dodoitsuwinter,
The Wait Rhymebody,devotion,truth,
When the Chemistry Is Gone the History Does Not Matter Free verselove,
Love In Love With Love Sonnetlove,spiritual,
Lit By Love Quatrainloss,love,strength,
Courtney Mae Or Courting May Sonnetmay,
Floating Shards of Dream Free verseanalogy,lost love,pain,
Poet's Honeymoon Collaboration With Joanna Daniels Rhymefantasy,imagination,
Ashes - Edvard Munch Ekphrasisart,inspiration,
Bantu Free versepoetry,
Rebirth Me Prose Poetryhope,mental illness,
Salvations Rests Behind True Faith's Gold Door Sonnetappreciation,art,bible,ch
I Died Sonnetallusion,anger,angst,
A woman called house Free versehome,
Debacle Rhymeconfusion,evil,history,
Pearl-Prayer Sijoemotions,heaven,life,long
Stolen Nights Coupletangst,dark,light,morning,
Back Against The Sea Coupletangst,death,introspection
Vanishing Point Free verseangst,anxiety,heartbreak,
Amberina Ballerina, Whatever Verseintrospection,
Apollo and Daphne by Bernini A collaboration with Di11y Da11y Ekphrasisart,perspective,
Forgotten Dreams Versedream,
Love Hurts - Bound by Love, Broken by Fate - POTD Balladfate,lost love,rainbow,ro
To Whom Does This Come Haibunanalogy,deep,i am,
No Longer Quatrainbetrayal,recovery from,
Roots and Dandelion Dreams: A Mother's Heart Ekphrasisheart,love,mothers day,na
Misty Blues Quatrainlost love,solitude,
Clover's In the Bottom Right-Hand Corner Doing the Best with What Circumstance Brought Her Ekphrasisart,extended metaphor,
Sea Shore Night Sijonature,sea,
Reason I Believe Free versehow i feel,
Humanity Rhymehumanity,perspective,scie
Undergrowth with Two Figures Ekphrasisart,love,nature,paradise,

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
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
Paige Hind United States Flag United States Read
Ink Empress Maldives Flag Maldives Read

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry