Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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Captiva morns -

wish! wish! wish for the sun!

       there, once ...
       in port on Captiva, slumbering
       the bottlenoses sang me
       to every first blush ...
       tender, daily, they'd wake me
       gentle, silken backs, a-finned
       slipping and melting
       the mirror surface ...
       (as sunrise melts the moon)
       puffs blown (wish!) soft as
       a child's eyelash, blinking
       me to the dawn ...
       a mantra, golden, warm
       offered up to brightening air
       with their hopeful prayer
       for my day ...

wish! wish! wish for the sun!
wish for a magic morn!
wish! wish! abundant, the sea!
all wishes azure-borne!
wish! wish! swim for the deep!
wish for a bounty there!

       each break of day
       as soft and sure as the pink sky
       my dreams were taken
       for their aspects ...
       meanderings paid for exuberance, rare
       I, kid's heart ever tugging
       chose a top-side bunk
       in lieu of below ...
       (or a cozy forecastle)
       first, for the sake of the sextant
       and a night vista
       beyond sacred imaginings -
       stars, moon ... the light-flecked
       wash of the 'Way itself
       oft' to take the breath ...
       but then, solely, in regard of the dolphins
       their wondrous wake-ups
       weaving into my spirit
       haunting the day-long and
       my dreams ever since ...

wish! wish! wish for the sun!
wish for a magic morn!
wish! wish! abundant, the sea!
all wishes azure-borne!
wish! wish! swim for the deep!
wish for a bounty there!

       I will sail my last
       dusk sky with that hopeful
       song in my soul,
       and the memory of precious
       Captiva mornings ...
       carried to me by those
       magical spirits, my bottlenose
       brothers and sisters
       ever ebullient
       and ever bright ...

wish! wish! wish for the sun!
wish for a magic morn!
wish! wish! abundant, the sea!
all wishes azure-borne!
wish! wish! swim for the deep!
wish for a bounty there!
wish fair winds, a gentle sea
and a kiss on the dawning air!

       that joyous song -
       your buoyant spirit
       forever ...
       my heart.






~ 1st Place ~  in the "Dolphins" Poetry Contest, Julie Leigh Rodeheaver, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 6th Place ~  in the "Premiere Contest Number 15" Poetry Contest, SKAT A, Judge & Sponsor.

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Barbara Barry-Nishanian Date: 3/16/2018 11:04:00 PM Interesting format...hope saying this in correct way. You never disappoint! Every aspect is right on...well deserved Congrats! bbn Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/16/2018 11:20:00 PM Thank you SO much, Barbara, that's very kind of you - I'm so pleased you enjoyed my dolphin tribute ... this is such a wonderful memory for me, and as such was easy to write about, but I wanted to make it more unusual, and the sounds that they make when breathing always reminds me of the word "wish!", and in a musical way! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Eve Roper Date: 3/4/2018 10:18:00 PM Congratulations on your win.. the wonderful imagery made me feel every line... Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/7/2018 7:12:00 PM That's very sweet of you, Eve, thank you so very kindly! :-) <3

Sandra Haight Date: 3/3/2018 5:02:00 PM Such a wonderful poetic tribute to one of nature's (and my) beautiful creatures, Greg. Beautifully written, and congrats on your top placement. Sandra :) Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/7/2018 7:10:00 PM I so greatly appreciate the kind comments, Sandra, thank you so much, my friend! :-) <3

Line Gauthier Date: 3/3/2018 9:22:00 AM Awesome poem, Gregory. Congrats on your most deserving win. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/7/2018 7:09:00 PM Very kind of you, Line, thank you! :-)

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/3/2018 9:20:00 AM I knew THIS one would be a winner. Wow, top spot! Congratulations. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/7/2018 7:09:00 PM Thank you kindly, Andrea! :-) <3

Mick Talbot Date: 3/3/2018 3:33:00 AM Congratulations... and jubilations... The dolphin... one of natures... greatest creations... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ long... but the sea was calm... so enjoyed your poetry charm... Mick Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/7/2018 7:08:00 PM Very kind of you, Mick - thank you so much! :-)

Bartholomew Williams Date: 1/29/2018 10:42:00 PM I love this one, Greg! Beautiful, engaging imagery, and you probably know by now the special place in my heart for nautical poems. I also enjoy how you varied the pace and tone of your piece for added effect - it worked! Congratulations on a truly strong piece and placement!! All good things to you, my friend!! :) Bartholomew Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/30/2018 12:47:00 AM What a very kind and heartfelt comment, Bartholomew, and one I do not take for granted. I'm so pleased you enjoyed my entry, and I, too, love all things nautical, (and celestial). Blessings to you, My Good Friend! :-)

Sandra Haight Date: 1/29/2018 7:47:00 PM Amazing imagery, Gregory. Congratulations on your placement on this short list of winners. Sandra :) Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/30/2018 12:45:00 AM Very kind of you, my friend, thank you so much for the wonderful comment! :-) <3

Francis J Grasso Date: 1/29/2018 7:04:00 PM Congratulations on you win, Gregory! ...Fran Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/30/2018 12:45:00 AM Thank you so much, Francis - blessings to you, Friend! :-)

Line Gauthier Date: 1/29/2018 4:17:00 PM Beautiful, Gregory. Love the imagery. Congrats on your well deserved win. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/30/2018 12:44:00 AM Thank you so much, Line, I'm glad you liked it, Dear Friend! :-) <3

Skat A Date: 1/29/2018 2:24:00 PM Gregory R Barden,, Congratulations on your win. With Lots Of Love *SKAT* Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/30/2018 12:44:00 AM Thank you very much, SKAT - I greatly appreciate it! Honored and humbled to be on a list of such wonderful poets, and pleased you enjoyed my poem. :-)

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/22/2018 6:12:00 PM This is so wonderful. Another one of yours I had not seen yet. When will this contest ever be judged, do you think? another soupie for you Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/22/2018 7:50:00 PM Very sweet of you, Friend, I'm glad you enjoyed it ... this was an actual experience of mine ... rather a "different" poem. Blessings and thanks, Andrea! :-) <3

Silent One Date: 12/28/2017 11:34:00 AM Great last stanza... good luck in the contest Greg.. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/30/2017 9:53:00 PM Thanks so much, my friend! :-)