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Dancing With Mom

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* For Mom - more precious than winds or words could e'er carry. *

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When I was just a wee one my mom taught me to dance to start, I balanced on her toes but then steps more advanced She showed me how to Fox Trot (I could cut a decent rug) also, waltzing and the Samba but we'd mostly ... jitterbug Oh, that was my mom's favorite that she always danced with Dad I'd seen them do it here-or-there (to perfection, I might add) They had some mesmerizing moves and a chemistry quite rare a flow and rhythm, wondrous - like they truly danced on air! My dad worked many hours then so to catch them was a treat swinging tight to big band Jazz with their twirling arms and feet To watch them, smooth as butter made my efforts seem quite weak so when I could, I'd bother mom for some shine to my technique I wasn't half as good as Dad still, 'twas special for us both so every chance, we'd jitterbug throughout my years of growth When on my own, I'd often go and stay with them a while making time to dance with Mom cuz it always made her smile Oh, some might find it trivial but it bloomed in her with joy as it danced us back to mem'ries when she'd taught me as a boy When MY wee ones came along I taught THEM how to dance so they can jitterbug now, too and shake and twirl and prance! Well, Mom's now in her nineties and her bones aren't very strong but the other night we danced again (tho' she didn't last for long) We gently placed the self-same steps even turned a couple spins but it wasn't long before we quit for the strength had left her limbs Some teary sparkles lit her eyes and a smile adorned her face for tho' a bounce had left her step she'd danced her best with grace We mightn't get the chance again this world made the way it is and Dad awaits hereafter, now for that last sweet dance is his But someday when I'm slowing and my seas of life grow calm I'll look ahead with joy, once more ... for the chance ... to dance ... With Mom. <3 ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Mother" Poetry Contest, Constance La France, Judge & Sponsor.

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Juliet Ligon

Date: 4/1/2021 5:19:00 PM

Sounds like an amazing lady. Great that you carried on the tradition of dance with your own kids. Beautifully written, especially that last stanza.

Kim Merryman

Date: 3/31/2021 1:50:00 PM

What a delightful poem! It was so touching and brought tears to my eyes. I could visualize you and your mom dancing and it was just so sweet! Congrats on your win, Greg! Blessings, Kim M

Meru Groen

Date: 3/31/2021 12:07:00 PM

Thanks for reminding me to dance, its been a while, and at the end of your poem, I thought of my mom and felt a pang of emotion, but in a helping way. Thanks, Gregory, for the opportunity to read your work.

Constance La France

Date: 3/31/2021 8:04:00 AM

Greg, congratulations on your win in my Mother Challenge, it touched my heart, well done _Constance

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 3/31/2021 1:50:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. It is a lovely, precious and beautiful poem, a wonderful tribute to the mother-son relationship. What a bond! To my faves. Will read many times. Best wishes ~ Mala

Marilene Evans

Date: 3/30/2021 9:36:00 AM

This is so so sweet. I love to dance and how I wish my sons would dance with me. Now, I have my grandson, who I meet in a gig and I teach him to waltz with me. You are so lucky having all the sweet memories dancing with your Mom. Such a beautiful, sweet poem.

John Watt

Date: 8/13/2020 9:55:00 AM

Greg, I'm glad you didn't cut out any lines, for this is precious and perfect. There is only one Mom in life, and you were blessed with a dazzling jewel of a mother. So glad you still have her to dote on and dance with and rekindle memories that I know are priceless for both of you. I know you know this, but: enjoy every single second with her that you can. And keep writing trophies like this for your mom (and your fans, like me). Warm regards ~ John

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/24/2020 12:12:00 AM

Absolutely beautiful, Gregory. Love it.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/24/2020 2:29:00 AM

Thank you kindly, Line! <3

Andrew Fairchild

Date: 7/5/2019 1:55:00 AM

My mom taught me to dance too, only the waltz, I couldn't learn anything more than that without practicing for hours, and hours, she didn't have. But this is sure a sweet remembrance. Glad you have her!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/5/2019 2:56:00 AM

Thank you for the kind comments, Andrew, it's so nice to hear your story of you and your mom and similar experience. Those are the true treasured things in life - those moments and memories ... we are blessed, my friend! :-)

Michael Henry

Date: 7/4/2019 12:59:00 AM

What a lovely sentiment so beautifully written. I enjoyed this and many other of your poems, Gregory!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/4/2019 9:22:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Mike, that's such a nice comment! Blessings to you, my friend! :o)

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/28/2019 3:00:00 PM

Truly love this gem. I too have several times written poems too long for contests and each time I too refused to cut a verse or even a single word. A poet's integrity, honor and dedication to purity in his/her work is an important part of honoring the Art we practice my great friend. A fav,, a gem too..

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/2/2019 8:45:00 PM

(2) ... and especially when it's about such a special subject. Many thanks to you, Robert - you were one of the first here to acknowledge me, and will always be a special friend. Blessings! :o)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/2/2019 8:41:00 PM

Oh, Robert, My Good Friend, this comment means a lot to me, that someone else feels the same about such things ... contests are fun and I have learned SO much by pushing myself to enter them and attempt those new forms, but cutting or compromising a piece for the sake of it just seems wrong to me ...

Ann Foster

Date: 6/27/2019 10:41:00 PM

Beautiful poem. It was a pleasure to read. Ann

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/27/2019 11:03:00 PM

Thank you very much, Ann, that's very kind ... blessings, my friend! :o) <3

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 6/12/2019 4:44:00 PM

So precious are your words on your Mum! So dear and sweet are the souvenirs! So touching are the flowing sentiments.. Very true, no words can meet the Beauty of a Mum.. Thank you so much, Gregory, for sharing a part of a tremendous Love.. sweet memories.. May God bless and protect your precious Mum.. I tremendously enjoyed the read. In my heart and fave list.. my deepest regards and blessings.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/13/2019 1:35:00 AM

This is such a sweet and heartfelt comment, Besma, and I thank you so, so much for taking the time to read my poem and leave such kind words - it is a poem in itself, and so very lovely! Many thanks to you, my friend, and sincere blessings to you and yours! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/12/2019 1:52:00 AM

This poem is such a beautiful Mother's a Day gift Greg. It really moved me as I am sure it did her. It is one of your most endearing and best! This is going into my Faves! Your mother is lovely, if the photo is of you and she? I am glad you kept this poem as is! : ) xxoo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/13/2019 1:33:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Connie, I'm very pleased that you liked this one. I have not shown her yet as I want to have it framed and done in calligraphy, but I hope to soon. Yes, that is her and me in 1961 on Sebago Lake. I spent my first six years there as we lived on the lake year-round until I started school, then moved to the town my Dad's drug store was in about 45 minutes away ...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/13/2019 1:33:00 AM

(2) I so loved life on the lake, and I still miss it very much. That house is now owned by Boston Celtic's great Dave Cowens. My mom and I have always been close, and are best friends to this day. :-) <3

Wendy Watson

Date: 6/11/2019 3:59:00 AM

Forget the contest, Greg! This beautiful poem is of much more value than virtual trophies. I hope you have shared at least some of the verses with your Mum ( I understand that the last two might be too emotional). These are such precious memories which I'm so glad you have shared with us. Best wishes Wendy

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/12/2019 10:08:00 PM

This is very sweet, Wendy, and I thank you heartily for taking the time to read and comment! I am certainly going to share this with Mom soon, and hope to get it done in calligraphy so I can put it in a frame and present it to her. Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Panagiota Romios

Date: 6/11/2019 3:07:00 AM

Gregory! I find this utterly touching and so lovely. A FAV. This should be a POTD without question. One of the best I have ever read at the Soup..EVER! You are an inspiration for me. Panagiota Romios

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/12/2019 10:05:00 PM

Oh, what a marvelous comment, with such heartfelt and sweet sentiment ... this means a lot to me, Panagiota, and I thank you most dearly, my friend - blessings to you and yours! :-) <3