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An Absinthe Eventide

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** Inspired by the movie "Midnight In Paris **

I sauntered in an evening mist A midnight's heaven, magic-kissed Lamp-lit raindrops pattered, awesome Shining city turned violet blossom Enchantments I could ne'er resist. Adrift upon the Paris, proper Wandered I, a Yankee pauper Until a Latin damsel's ride Paused, as she pulled me inside (Not that I had mind to stop her). Away, into another world She and I were thusly hurled A night of excess, spinning fast Absinthe sweetened our repast As did lips, and tresses, curled. Club-to-club we smartly hopped More green nectar if we flopped Pushing tenders to their rations Just to fuel our backseat passions On-and-onward, 'til we dropped. All seems dream now, in my mind Still, I'd swear that when we dined Famous folks from ages hence Were with us for our merriments And all the mischief we could find. The best of writers in their day Zelda, F. Scott and Hemingway Gertrude Stein and Porter, Cole Pined, polemic, from their soul Life and love, the friendly fray. No discourse was too far-fetched Others, too, who talked and sketched Pablo Picasso and Gauguin, Paul Dali and Man Ray, surrealists all On, the wilding hours stretched. Ever poured the emerald potion Crazy cogs in constant motion Clouding, thick, the mental fog Far beyond the hair-of-dog Glasses raised for every notion. Thus it passed 'til all went black Awaking days hence in my sack Believing now that all these things Were just a night's meanderings Or the ramblings of a maniac. I set my mind to purge it all Grabbed my phone to make a call Then spotted on my bed, a note Within the pocket of my coat So I crumpled it into a ball. You see, I recognized the write I'd seen it on that misty night When, with absinthe, we'd our fill And Hemingway had signed the bill. So I sauntered off into the night ... Too scared to find out ... if I was right. * FOURTH PLACE in the "Dreams" Poetry Contest, Nayda Ivette Negron, Sponsor. *

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 1/22/2018 7:59:00 PM
I enjoyed reading your mesmerizing, well-written Quintella, Gregory! Congratulations on your fine placement in the contest. :) Sandra
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 8:05:00 PM
Thank you very much, Sandra ... I'm so happy you enjoyed my Paris tale of magic! Blessings to you, my friend! :-) <3
Date: 1/22/2018 8:25:00 AM
I really enjoyed this poem! Partly because it's so lyrical, and mainly perhaps because it evokes the Paris I knew as a young man in the late 60's-- cobblestone streets, seductive smells --and women-- pervading the Latin Quarter... and a pervasive sense of history and ghosts. Congrats, Greg
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 8:04:00 PM
That's VERY kind of you to say, LJ, and I so appreciate the comments ... that's the feeling I was trying to get across, and I'm very thankful that you got those impressions! Blessings, my friend! :-)
Date: 1/21/2018 9:26:00 PM
Wow very skillfully written and a pure delight to read. Congrats on your well deserved win, Gregory.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 8:02:00 PM
I'm pleased you enjoyed this one, Line, it was a lot of fun to write, and I wasn't sure how it would be received ... thanks so much for the kindness, friend! :-)
Date: 1/21/2018 7:30:00 PM
Mesmerizing write, Greg! Congrats on your win. Janice
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 8:00:00 PM
That's very kind of you, Janice - thanks so much! :-) <3
Date: 12/8/2017 5:59:00 PM
oh my goodness. What an awesome thing!! Could be a dream, and then to find the note!! This is very Twilight Zone, and I LOVE that.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/9/2017 12:11:00 AM
Thank you so much, Andrea - I had fun with this one! :-)
Date: 12/7/2017 8:56:00 PM
An amazing write Greg! Dream or reality ... sometimes it's a very fine line between the two. Love the last stanza! You are such a talent!!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/8/2017 3:23:00 AM
Thank you very much, Judy, and you are so right ... there's a very fine line sometimes. So pleased you liked this one - I had so much fun with it! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3
Date: 12/7/2017 6:25:00 PM
Wow. What a picture! I truely appreciate great work!! Thank you.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/7/2017 8:22:00 PM
That's so very kind of you, Stefani, and I'm so glad you liked it - thank you and blessings, friend! :-)
Date: 12/7/2017 8:29:00 AM
Wonderful pen Greg :) I gotta say, I love the Absinthe. Hope you are well, much love! xomo
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Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 12/7/2017 9:48:00 PM
The "real" stuff, thought that was outlawed! :) the Wormswood I mean. I have a couple Absinthe spoons...
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/7/2017 8:22:00 PM
We shall have to raise a glass together someday, friend! ;-) <3
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/7/2017 8:21:00 PM
Thanks so very much, Mo, I do, too - REAL absinthe ... it is a bit of an obsession for me, lol. I have a personality that lends itself to such, though, so I walk a fine line and keep it to a minimum. I don't like to not be in control of my faculties, so I've always stayed away from mind-altering substances, (mostly, lol), and while the affect absinthe has is certainly mind-altering, it doesn't numb the reflexes or clarity ... at least not for me.
Date: 12/7/2017 6:29:00 AM
A fave, Greg! Nicely done!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/7/2017 8:16:00 PM
Thank you so much, Kim - blessings to you, my friend! :-) <3
Date: 12/7/2017 5:49:00 AM
Imagination and vocabulary are two of the sharpest tools a poet can possess. You are a human whetstone, Greg. This one is honed genius.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/7/2017 8:15:00 PM
Thank you SO very much, Lin, this is one of the nicest comments I've ever gotten, and it means a great deal to me coming from such an amazing writer ... I am so pleased you liked it, as I had a lot of fun with it! Blessings, Dear Friend! <3

Book: Shattered Sighs