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Manipulations Of Fate

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February 18, 2024

~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: No 1296
Sponsor: Brian Strand

~ Poem Of The Day ~
February 20, 2024


 

I wait— here I wait for white magic reverie to embrace me free me here I wait— an hourglass full of leopard-print thoughts sugar-granular-musings spill the beginning to the end of a story the potential the inevitable life finite love infinite day dreams or bad dreams depends on how the sun or moon colors time a red velvet box empty its precious gem replaced a cubic zirconia fantasy instead deprived of diamond’s fire a synthesized rainbow fades to gray constricted in restricted space when I close the lid effortless elegance elegant effort moonbeams spread the legs of vertical blinds invasion persuasion the dark skin of the room wears the soft sight of moonlight soft as the steam of your sigh your breath upon my nape a passion hunter your testosterone kiss a hungry wolf as I stood at the window white breasts full and bright when I wore the soft sight of moonlight my window open invitation temptation flirty-flutter curtain a frilly filly —buxom in billows sheer— rides the bedtime breeze fluctuations undulations insistent persistent the breeze a wolf of growling tenderness a tender wild wolf my skin wears the lone-wolf breeze goosebumped a bit here and there circular goosebumps rise — enchanted levitation elation I close my eyes a vision of galaxy stars bloom I pluck ‘forget-me-nots’ from a spangled field attraction action — chain reaction ..and the stars they start to fall the wizardry of Perseus a gentle meteor rain star-dusted sorrow tame the music of champagne resonant bubbles pour and pulse and purr in my veins a symphony… timpani drum vibrates my chest …but the stars! they a-l-l start to fall! a lethal lava rain harder hotter wilder each star every star— millions! —cleaved from the grieving body of a heaving sky thrown against my soul with vengeance dark magic reverie black holes pierce the dying heavens— …“Isn’t it g-r-e-a-t to be alive?” wolf’s-bane-wind whispers again with a wolfish grin my paralyzed heart nothing but a red box empty constricted by a snake—a synthesized rainbow boa restricted in the stranglehold of serpent bedsheets moonbeams —lunatic laser beams spread the legs of vertical blinds invasion occasion birth pangs the product of our lost romance ghost children; pain and bane our progeny.. my progeny flood the floor bathed in ruptured amniotic moonlight I mourn— …here I mourn… an hourglass; a womb of possibilities and the belly of Hell— an hourglass full of manipulations of fate —turned over again cubic zirconia fantasy deprived of diamond’s fire dies a faux phoenix my life— my phony life cognition a magician conjures fake ignition —a twin flame alone— reflection in broken mirror only my lonely soul rose-water tears and rose-scented prayers; rosary layers of my green weakness grow a wilted rose of woe .. my breath without you my mechanical weakness death—your last breath your only natural weakness

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 9/12/2024 6:10:00 PM
This poem is a tour de force, one I could never hope to write because I am worlds apart from the magic you create! Do I detect touches of Gerard Manley Hopkins in it? My feeble mind cannot grasp all that's going on in it that would enrich my appreciation a hundred fold! Again, an amazing tour de force of words and imagary! / Maurice
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Susan Ashley
Date: 9/14/2024 9:29:00 AM
Dear Maurice, I am deeply touched, humbled and honored to receive your esteemed and uplifting comments. I adore Gerard Manley Hopkins, though I admit I haven't read a lot of his works, but these poems stand out for me immediately; Carrion Comfort, God's Grandeur and of course, The Windhover. Perhaps I have been influenced by his mighty and mesmerizing pen. I love the creative, musical, alliterative, intriguing use of language in his poems and I'm thrilled that you have "detected touches of Gerard Manley Hopkins" in my work, even if I stumbled my way into it unwittingly. With appreciation, warmest wishes to you, my poet friend.. ~Susan
Date: 4/11/2024 1:55:00 AM
Good morning dear Susan! What a pleasure to cross paths with you this morning :) I hope to find more time to visit Soup (and your poetry) now that health problems have eased. This poem is a double-edged sword, manipulation 'of' and 'by' fate! I'm seduced by the imagery, metaphors, elation, enchantment, symphonies to love....and then the fall of dreams and ruptured joy of life that bring the end of expectations. [a fav] Warm regards & hugs dear friend // paul
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Susan Ashley
Date: 4/20/2024 9:16:00 AM
Dear Paul, indeed, it's always a pleasure whenever we cross poetic paths. I am so glad to know your health issues have eased. A true relief for me and all your many many poetry fans here :) Your assessment of my poem is inspiring. Thank you for your encouragement, Paul, your esteemed comments embolden me to reach ever higher in my poetic journey. The honor of your fav is deeply appreciated and the sun shines brighter today for your visit :) Warmest wishes and hugs my dear friend.. ~Susan
Date: 4/7/2024 6:18:00 PM
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 4/15/2024 5:51:00 PM
Dear Albena, please forgive my late reply to your lovely comment. I've been away for a few weeks. Life has been filled to the brim lately. Thank you for your gracious visit and for your kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 3/24/2024 4:42:00 PM
A belated Congratulations on your magnificent Gem, dear Poetess! Absolutely exquisite and mesmerizing! I really enjoyed.. Your talent shines, dear sweet Susan! Many blessings to you!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/25/2024 12:46:00 PM
Dear Robertina, it’s so wonderful to see you! Thank you for your gracious poetic presence and for your heartwarming words. I’m so glad to know you enjoyed my poem. Your kind friendship and congrats are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes my sweet and talented friend.. ~Susan
Date: 3/4/2024 11:52:00 AM
Beautiful write Susan…Congratulations on POTD! Debx
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/5/2024 6:19:00 PM
Dear Deb, your beautiful comment and kind congrats are received with joy and appreciation. Thank you my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/29/2024 12:24:00 PM
I can see why this was, POTD. A journey of seduction, invigoration, temptation, then the journey goes on, and we know nothing lasts forever, but the pain hits you like a train. You've managed a whole life into words, brill.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 3/2/2024 7:34:00 AM
Dear Paul, I'm thrilled to receive your amazing comments. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Your poet's soul sees into the heart of this piece with emotional finesse. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 2/26/2024 6:06:00 AM
I assure you the feeling is mutual.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/29/2024 12:47:00 PM
Thank you :)
Date: 2/24/2024 6:17:00 PM
Oh my, hats off for this outstanding masterpiece my dear poet friend Susan! I say again, you're a true poet. You took me into a journey of so much deep and touching emotions here with superb imagery. Such a wonderful blessing to read from you this morning my dearest poet friend. A fave on this precious gem and my warmest Congratulations on your well-deserved POTD! Thanks a lot for sharing. God bless you always and your writngs. Hugs
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/25/2024 10:18:00 AM
Dear Len, my wonderful poet friend, I'm truly humbled and honored by your generous response to my poem. Your esteemed presence adds value to my verse. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this piece with me and for the distinction of your fav. Your kind words and sweet congrats bring a smile, my inspiring friend. I hope all is well with you and yours, dear Len. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/24/2024 5:06:00 PM
I see as well that it’s POTD. Big Congratulations.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/25/2024 10:25:00 AM
Dear Richard, your kind congrats are wonderful to receive. Thank you my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 2/24/2024 5:03:00 PM
Damn good poetry. A piece to be proud of. Well done my friend.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/25/2024 10:24:00 AM
Dear Richard, thank you for your elating comment! Such an uplifting endorsement from a poet I hold in such high esteem. I am both humbled and honored my friend. Your gracious visit is appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/21/2024 11:52:00 AM
My Dearest Rhyme time Friend, your words weep "rose scented tears," as your stars fall only to see your reflection in a "broken mirror." Every word, every line is brought to life by your immense poetic talent! Every time I read one of your masterpieces I am convinced that yours is a talent only given life in a few! Thank you for your unselfish heart - your selfless sharing of your words that live in poetry, sweet poetry sis! Congratulations on your POTD! Blessings on rose scented petals.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 5:31:00 PM
My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, soulful poetess, I cherish the enthusiasm of your uplifting response to my poem. Your beautiful comments shine like glitter gems upon my poetic page. I am humbled, honored and filled with gratitude for your inspiring words and poetry friendship. Thank you, my sweet poetry sis, for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this piece with me. Your heartwarming congrats are appreciated as are your rays of warmth and kindness that touch my spirit with a golden glow. Warmest wishes on sun colored daydreams.. ~Susan
Date: 2/21/2024 11:39:00 AM
All the usual accolades -- except for one. I understood every single word in this poem, Susan. But congrats on POTD, anyway. CD (Cognitive Decline) often strikes without warning, you know. So, you can thank your lucky stars that I am still around to warn you. lol. ~ Joe Biden's Nanny
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 9:20:00 AM
Dear Gershon, I'm delighted that you're still around, my friend, hehe.. and thanks for the warning! Your visit brings your unique humor to my page. Both your witty words and kind congrats are appreciated. I'm glad you "understood every single word in this poem" ..lol! Warmest wishes, nanny Manny.. ~Susan
Date: 2/21/2024 4:49:00 AM
moonbeams spread the legs of vertical blinds, so this sensual ride begins with all its emotions…a deserving POTD! Congratulations!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:27:00 AM
Dear Kim, gifted poetess, if anyone could appreciate that particular verse I knew it would be you. Your golden pen spills sensual ink with a beauty all its own. Your gracious visit and kind congrats are received with appreciation and delight. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/21/2024 12:21:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD. Well done.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:20:00 AM
Thank you, Jeanette. Your gracious visit and kind congrats are received with appreciation. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 9:01:00 PM
Dear Susan, your beautiful, elegant poem left me breathless. Congratulations on POTD. Blessings, Evelyn
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:23:00 AM
Dear Evelyn, it's so wonderful to see you! Thank you for gracing my poem with your poetic presence and for sharing in its emotions. Your uplifting response to my poem warms my heart as does your kind congrats. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 8:44:00 PM
Wow, Susan, as always you are truly a Poetess of great depth,and this poem in particular deserves a few reads. The love the many layers to it,I can sense that you're in a reflective mood. You wait with an hourglass full of thoughts.Life can feel both finite and infinite, and love can be a source of both comfort and pain. As moonbeams invade the room, you close your eyes and imagine stars falling. In moments like these, it's easy to get lost in a symphony of emotions. Wow. So deserving of POTD, Congratulations Susan...Hugs xxx
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 5:40:00 PM
Dearest Maria, it's so wonderful to see you, my sweet friend! I revel in the beautiful spirit of your generous comments. I am truly humbled and honored by your kindness. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Your poet's soul sees into the heart of this piece with emotional finesse. You inspire me, my wondrous poetry sis. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 6:47:00 PM
Congratulations Susan on receiving the honour of poem of the day, you’ve written a beautiful poem of a love that’s lost… Beryl
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:33:00 AM
Dear Beryl, your kind congrats and uplifting comments are received with appreciation and delight! Thank you my poetess friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 6:44:00 PM
Dearest Susan, there's so many emotions within this beautiful, yet tender poem you've created. Moments are breathtaking, passionate and magical, and then all of a sudden; melancholy embraces the mood. Like the broken mirror, a heart feels shattered. In reference to the hourglass that has been turned over again, there's a sense of emptiness. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. Congratulations my sweet friend, on Poem of the Day. Many wonderful blessings to you. Hugs, Brandy
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 5:45:00 PM
Dearest Brandy, gifted poetess, it's always an extra-special day when you visit my poem's page. I revel in the beauty of your comments as I revel in the beauty of your ethereal, sensual poetry. Both your kindness and heartwarming congrats are received with appreciation and delight. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Your thoughts are treasured. Warmest wishes, my sweet poetry friend.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 5:50:00 PM
Congratulations on POTD. Your poem is fantastic.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:30:00 AM
Dear Hilda, your gracious visit and heartwarming congrats are truly appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem. Thank you for your kindness. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 4:29:00 PM
Hello lovely Susan :-) deep heart touch poem! Congratulations on your POTD. Have a sweet time with my best warmest wishes!
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 5:47:00 PM
Dear Abdullah, both your kind thoughts and heartwarming congrats are received with appreciation and delight. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 3:57:00 PM
Susan, such incredibly deep emotion expressed in such a poetically beautiful way is so difficult to achieve and yet, you have done it! Congratulations on your POTD honors xxoo
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 5:48:00 PM
Dear Mike, I am humbled and honored by your touching response to my poem. Both your kindness and heartwarming congrats are received with appreciation and delight. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 2:26:00 PM
Just back to congratulate you on POTD
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:19:00 AM
Dear Silent One, your return visit delights and your kind congrats are appreciated. Thank you my poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 1:03:00 PM
Dearest Susan, so happy to be able to wish you many congratulations for POTD with this magnificent piece. So much here to admire as you took us on a journey of so much emotions with great depth and exquisite imagery. You have sensationally captured love, passion, longing, loneliness and grief. The mourning of what had been lost, what could have been, was so poignant as with the reference several times to that red velvet box that would have contained a life long of commitment.’
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 5:59:00 PM
Dearest Christina, soulful poetess, your golden presence and lustrous words cast a lovely glow upon my poem, and upon my grateful spirit. I am humbled and honored by your deep insight and beautiful response to my poem. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Your poet's soul sees into the heart of this piece with perceptive finesse. I am ever in awe of you, my sweet poetry friend. Your generous kindness brings immense joy! I'm so glad to know you enjoyed my verse, dearest Christina. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan
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Christina Bowring
Date: 2/20/2024 1:34:00 PM
The ‘ ghost children’ that would now never exist was heartbreaking as was the lonely soul. The last two lines was greatly profound and impactful. It was a brilliantly expressed piece of raw grief. Ever in awe of your immense talent dear poetic heroine. Hugs to you xx
Date: 2/20/2024 10:43:00 AM
Susan it flows melodiously, I loved "as I stood at the window white breasts full and bright when I wore the soft sight of moonlight" "birth pangs the product of our lost romance ghost children; pain and bane" this is unparalleled originality..Unrestrained with a given free reign to explore, expand and luuxuriate in realms of streaming thoughts inspired. Congratulations on Poem Of The Day, Susan Ashley!!! xo ~Anaya
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 8:18:00 AM
Dear Anaya, gifted poetess, the beauty of your comments uplift my spirits to the heavens. I'm glad to know those verses resonated with you. I am humbled and honored by your response to my poem. Both your kindness and heartwarming congrats are received with appreciation and delight. Thank you for sharing in the emotions and imagination of this poem with me. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend.. ~Susan
Date: 2/20/2024 10:34:00 AM
A wonderful read and an excellent selection for POTD.
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Susan Ashley
Date: 2/22/2024 7:48:00 AM
Dear Jim, gracious visit and heartwarming words are received with appreciation. I'm glad to know you thought my poem a wonderful read. Thank you for gracing my poem with your esteemed presence. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
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