Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

A Pen Friend

My dear new friend,
I am writing my first letter ...
I know how to write because of a kind missionary who taught me,
But until you opened your heart to me and sent money,

I had never known a pen or piece of clean, new paper that was my own.
What a day this is - my first letter!
Oh, how bright the sun shines this day!
Oh, how I long to meet you!

How I long to see your country!
I have heard so many wonderful things ...
That place is a dream to me ... yes, a beautiful, hopeful dream!
Where every child goes to school ...

Has a warm soft bed to sleep in each night ...
A full tummy at the end of the day ...
Someone to care for them when they're sick ...
Clean water that flows from the wall - oh, my!

A bathroom with privacy and a seat!
Clean clothes to wear each day ...
Shoes that fit your feet ...
Radios and music, tv's, phones, computers!!

Oh, how my mind spins with the fancies ...
How it turns and tumbles on the thoughts of all these magical things!
And now I know that dreams can come true ...
That maybe, someday, I will see your country with my own eyes,

Meet you and kiss your cheek in thanks,
And let you know how your simple act of giving changed my life ...
Gave me the hunger in my heart to know you,
And showed me that wishes are not just for tossing to the wind,

But shine like stars in the night ...
And are just as real and bright and lasting!
All this you have given me ...
All this from the magic of what must seem a simple thing to you,

But that is, to me, a miracle ...
A piece of paper and a pen,
That I shall now build a new world with!
That I shall use to turn my ideas to form and fact!

That I shall build a bridge with ...
A bridge to take me to a place of wonder and hope ...
A bridge to take me to you,
My beloved pen pal ...

Thank you ... oh, thank you so!




* THIRD PLACE in the "Photostory" Poetry Contest, (Picture Number Two), Eve Roper, Sponsor. *

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Eve Roper December 2, 2017 at 7:01 PM So many children in so much need in their little lives, Gregory, Congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve ~`* Gregory Richard Barden December 2, 2017 at 7:39 PM Thank you so much, Eve, I am humbled and honored to be on a list with such wonderful poets, and so pleased that you felt my poem worthy ... blessings and best wishes to you, friend. <3

Jannie Breedt December 2, 2017 at 3:27 AM In a world full of cynics the sweet innocence is almost upsetting as I read this. I still need it so Gregory Richard Barden December 2, 2017 at 6:12 PM I hear you, Jannie, loud-and-clear, and I totally relate ... it is so contrary to what defines reality in this "grow-up-as-fast-as-you-can" world we live in, yet I think our hope, (perhaps ONLY hope), lies in the innocent desires of children - that pure joy of believing wholly that what they dream is possible. I need it, too, in spite of my demons ... or perhaps BECAUSE of them. Blessings, Brother. <3

Sunlite Wanter November 29, 2017 at 6:41 PM A real pleasure to read. Once I had a pen pal and WWII broke out. I never knew what happened to him. I had another for several years through a charity and she aged out of a program. They are fun and educational! I wonder if anyone else would think to write about their pen pal? Gregory Richard Barden November 29, 2017 at 6:57 PM I had a couple when I was young as well, SW, and it was wonderful learning about them and their strange country! I am still in touch with one of them, and she now lives in MA and we have met. The others I lost touch with, but have tried to find a couple of times, to no avail. Gregory Richard Barden November 29, 2017 at 6:57 PM Today the world is a much smaller place, and the internet has brought those places and people right into our homes, and it is wonderful, (mostly), as I have made so many wonderful new friends, (like you)! Thank you so much for your comments - blessings, my friend! :-) <3