Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

* For all those affected by this tragedy *

_____________________________________

Black Powder, Paradise

I consider it ...
with indifference, at first ...
the black charcoal powder coating the sole of my boot ...
I slap at it casually and watch it drift off, spinning ...

Then it hits me ... my breath, gone ...
that drifting ash and soot -
the seemingly meaningless particles of 'nothing',
were once ... everything ...

Houses and cars and conveniences,
photos and keepsakes, necessities and documents,
lawns and trees and foodstuffs, clothes and keepsakes,
the million things unnamed that fill treasured places ...

The silly things that represent daily life and occurrence,
endless items of the mundane and commonplace,
made priceless for the memories and joys they represent,
And people ... actual people ...

Charred remains of the inestimable hearts that once thrummed here -
the embers of human beings, cherished ... irreplaceable,
that loved and argued and hoped and pondered,
Now tossed on the breeze like so much dust ...

The soot and cinders of souls,
caught in my lungs and eyes ...
remnants of Paradise ... turned to fiery, flaming hell ...
A mocking dance of black powder and ash ...

Homes and dreams and precious, precious lives,
carried to senseless, blazing oblivion
by the callous, breathy winds ...
of Santa Ana.




~ 9th Place ~  in the "Black Powder" Poetry Contest, Anthony Slausin, Judge & Sponsor.

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Eve Roper November 23, 2018 at 7:13 PM Wonderful , Greg, great write for the fires in California . Congratulations on your win. Gregory Richard Barden November 26, 2018 at 5:51 PM That's very kind, Eve, thanks so much!

Line Gauthier November 23, 2018 at 6:45 AM Awesome tribute, Gregory. Well penned. A Most deserving win. Congrats. Gregory Richard Barden November 26, 2018 at 5:52 PM Thank you so very much, Line - blessings! :-)

Carrie Richards November 18, 2018 at 10:19 AM I don't know if you live in No. Calif, as I do,Greg, but your poem hits close to my heart Paradise in within 18 miles from my daughter's home, and an hour's drive from my own. It has been an unimaginable week of horror and sorrow, touching many people we have known and cared for. My daughter, in fact, has a refugee staying at her house as I write this, and we are all trying to pitch in to help. You captured words that have been caught in my throat. Thank you and God Bless Gregory Richard Barden November 19, 2018 at 2:17 AM I do not live there, Carrie, but two of my (grown) children live nearby, along with my five grandkids and one great-grandson, so it has hit home. But we are ALL humans with hearts, and we need to stand together at times like these, and hold each other UP. God Bless you, Dear Poet, and thank you SO much for these kind words. Please feel free to share my poem, if you'd like, if it can bring healing. <3

Andrea Dietrich November 15, 2018 at 7:48 PM OMG this is a wowser. if I do not see it on top of the winner list, there will be an injustice!! Absolutely fantastic writing on a current tragedy. Gregory Richard Barden November 19, 2018 at 2:15 AM You are so kind, Andrea, and I'm pleased you found this worthy ... those good people need so much now, our prayers, at the very least. Blessings, My Friend. <3

Connie Marcum Wong November 15, 2018 at 4:37 PM This is an excellent tribute to those poor souls whose lives were destroyed by flames! It tells of the heartache of loss of life and of properties that cannot be replaced. I feel for them and pray for all of those involved in fighting the flames as well as those who have lost everything. I hope this poem gets rewarded well Greg. : ) xxoo Gregory Richard Barden November 19, 2018 at 2:14 AM Thank you so much, Connie, I greatly appreciate the kind words ... I hope, in some small way, this can bring healing to those dear folks who have lost almost everything. Blessings, Dear Poet! <3