Gregory Richard Barden Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Answer In the Sand

I found her jacket folded 'midst the drift,
          Atop her shoes but 'neath a ribbon, red,
               Tied to a strainer that she'd used to sift
     The sand, for treasures left by tidal shed ...

The streamer I had given her that morn,
          Around a bunch of flowers and the ring
               Upon which all our promises were borne -
     Our romance and our future, taken wing ...

Her note had led me here so I could find
          Her single set of footprints on the shore,
               That to our special spot, did slowly wind,
     Then disappeared into the tidal bore ...

That answer, I can now ne'er understand -
          The words 'I'm sorry' ... written in the sand.






~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Footprints Old Or New For A Prize" Poetry Contest, Carolyn Devonshire, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "English Sonnets" Poetry Contest, Emile Pinet, Judge & Sponsor.

( Syllables = ten per line, counted at HowManySyllables.com )

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Sam Kauffman May 6, 2021 at 9:38 AM Congratulations Greg on another win for this sonnet that reaches deep into the heart with its sadness and feeling of "if only." There is no resolution for those left behind after the suicide of love. You have captured that deep emptiness and helplessness with eloquence. So well done my friend. Blessings!

Christuraj Alex May 4, 2021 at 10:50 AM Congratulations!

Unseeking Seeker May 4, 2021 at 8:36 AM Third such one aim reading amongst winners, yet so eloquently penned! Congrats, Gregory

Carolyn Devonshire May 4, 2021 at 8:03 AM Congratulations on a nice placement in the contest, Gregory. And thank you for supporting the contest. Hugs, Carolyn

Darlene De Beaulieu May 19, 2020 at 7:02 PM Hello Gregory r. Barden, what happened to to her? Did she drown? or did she leave you alone on the shore? Enjoy your evening my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu May 20, 2020 at 12:30 PM Hello Gregory Barden,Oh,so sad! Was she your girlfriend or wife? You need a hug.This is a hug oooooo. If you want to chat with me you can. Thank you so much my poet friend. Gregory Richard Barden May 20, 2020 at 12:34 AM Both - she committed suicide. Thank you so much for reading, Darlne - have a wonderful week Dear Poet! <3

Eric Cohen February 12, 2020 at 8:23 PM Truly masterful blend of craftsmanship and dark emotion. Quite moving. Congrats. Gregory Richard Barden February 12, 2020 at 9:26 PM That's very kind of you, Eric, thanks so much - I'm pleased you liked this one, Friend! :o)

Agnes Krampe February 12, 2020 at 6:55 AM Congrats on your win with this lovely sad sonnet Gregory Richard Barden February 12, 2020 at 9:25 PM Thank you so very much, Agnes - blessings! :o) <3

Lonna Blodgett February 8, 2020 at 1:30 PM This has the wisdom of human understanding and the mastery of words to emulate the art of its conveyance. I was absorbed by it! Lonna Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 5:08 PM That's very sweet of you to say, Lonna, and I thank you so very kindly for taking the time! Blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

John Gondolf February 8, 2020 at 7:47 AM What a wonderful sonnet filled with sad emotion, Greg. As I read it I was reminded of the song "Endless Sleep." Congrats on your win. Keep the ink flowing my friend. John Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 5:08 PM What a very kind and heartfelt comment, John, and a wonderful reference - this really means a lot to me, and I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem! I will have to listen to the song now - blessings, my friend! :o)

Kim James February 8, 2020 at 1:04 AM Wow! This is such emotional, well crafted story telling. Thank you for sharing it x Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 5:03 PM It is my pleasure, Kim, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it, and found it worthy of kind comment. Blessings, Friend! :o) <3

Quoth Theraven February 7, 2020 at 10:15 PM Gregory, This wonderful Sonnet hits you in a place few know they have. Let's pray it stays that way Sandman. -Richard Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 5:01 PM That's very kind of you, Q, and I'm very pleased that you found it worthy of comment. Blessings, my friend! :o)

David Drowley February 7, 2020 at 7:27 PM Gregory, Congratulations on your trophy win! Keep up the excellent writes. David Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 5:00 PM Thank you so much, David - I'm pleased you enjoyed it, my friend. Blessings! :o)

John Watt February 7, 2020 at 2:05 PM Gregory - Back to say congrats for your trophy! I enjoyed the read even more the second time. Well done ~ John Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 5:00 PM Thank you so much, John, I greatly appreciate your kindness, my friend! Blessings! :o) <3

Constance La France February 7, 2020 at 12:48 PM Greg, wow, what an incredible and emotional write, congratulations on your Trophy Win, so deserving _Constance Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 4:58 PM Thank you so very much, Constance - blessings, my friend! :o) <3

Janis Medders Tobechi February 7, 2020 at 11:43 AM Sad but wonderfully written. Congratulations on your trophy win. Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 4:58 PM Thank you very much, Janis - your opinion means a lot! Blessings! :o) <3

Carolyn Devonshire February 7, 2020 at 11:25 AM Interesting and sad story in your sonnet, Greg. Congratulations on your win in Emile's contest! Best wishes, Carolyn Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 4:57 PM Many kind thanks to you, Carolyn, I so appreciate the sweet comments, my friend! :o) <3

Sandra Adams February 7, 2020 at 11:19 AM wow... beautiful Greg, congratulations on your top win... loved this...hugs Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 4:56 PM Thank you so very much, Sandra - blessings! :o) <3

Emile Pinet February 7, 2020 at 11:16 AM Congratulations Gregory! Your remarkable poem earned “First” place in my contest. This contest was tough to judge but your poem soared to the top my friend, well done my friend, Emile. Gregory Richard Barden February 9, 2020 at 4:56 PM Thank you so very much, Emile, this means a great deal to me, and I'm so pleased you found my Sonnet worthy of such placement among great poets! Can't wait to get the new book! Blessings, my friend! :o)

John Watt January 22, 2020 at 7:18 PM Nature, love, and wistfulness - what more could I ask for in a sonnet? Gorgeously written by a true master of the sonnet form. Just lovely in every way ~ John Gregory Richard Barden January 23, 2020 at 2:29 AM Oh, that's very kind, John, I'm so pleased you liked it! I put off even attempting a Sonnet for quite a while, as I was rather intimidated by it, then decided to try one for a contest I think, and quickly fell in love with it. Craig Cornish was instrumental in helping me refine my application of the form, so I owe many thanks to him. Blessings! :o)

Sam Kauffman January 19, 2020 at 5:29 PM Beautiful traditional sonnet. Thank you addressing this crisis among every age group in our country. Very powerful! Gregory Richard Barden January 23, 2020 at 2:24 AM Thank you so much, Sam - it is certainly something we need to talk about MORE, as there is still so much misunderstanding. Blessings, Friend! :o)

Barry Stebbings January 19, 2020 at 7:28 AM Incredible, Gregory. Beautiful sad Sonnet. Good luck in the Contest. // Barry Gregory Richard Barden January 23, 2020 at 2:23 AM Many kind thanks to you, Barry, I greatly appreciate it! :o)

Jenish Somadas January 19, 2020 at 7:09 AM Sad.. But beautifully written.. It is really strange why some say sorry before doing something wrong.. Great entry in the contest and Good luck.. Gregory Richard Barden January 23, 2020 at 2:23 AM Thank you so very much, Jenish, it is so appreciated! Yes, I find the same irony in that ... although the kind of pain that often causes suicide trumps all other rationale. Blessings, Friend! :o)