Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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dear Gustav -

oh ...

Gustav, how you pique the senses
          captured passion's plural tenses

lovers twined in percale folds
          caught supine with spattered golds

porcelain dolls in fetal slumbers
          brushed sublime in tans and umbers

bold, the bleeds of Burnt Sienna
          stippling scapes of fair Vienna

Yellow Ochre, Prussian Green
          Cadmium Yellow, Blue Indanthrene

trees like soldiers, lilting boughs
          abstractions spun of silken vows

ceilings meant to thus adorn
          gilded graces - Heaven-borne

waters, tranquil - tresses, bare
          a world composing textures, rare

you struggled long to e'er refine
          your critics and uncommon line

subjects some then found appalling
          yet, remained, your faithful calling

imbibing absinthe, sans a chaser
          life you sketched with no eraser

and while we mortals can but dream
          you left the world your gauzy gleam

so death would not define the worth
          of genius meant to shake ...

the earth.






~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Klimt" Poetry Contest, Anthony Slausen, Judge & Sponsor.

Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2017

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John Watt Date: 5/30/2020 1:38:00 PM "The Kiss" is so iconic in culture that it's easy to think of him as a one-hit wonder (like Munch with The Scream or Dali with The Persistence of Memory). You have helped combat that with your broader approach and the medley of paintings in your image. Bravo to you for the insights and the educational tour of a great artist, Greg. Going into my faves ~ John Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/30/2020 10:11:00 PM That's very kind of you, John, and comments like yours are what spurs me on ... that was my intent with this one, (to represent Klimt on a broader canvas), and I thank you so very much for recognizing that and commenting on it. Best wishes, my friend - you are a blessing.

Line Gauthier Date: 1/7/2018 8:06:00 PM I love it. Beautiful poem. Congrats on your win, Gregory. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/7/2018 8:50:00 PM Thanks so much, Line ... I wanted to make this about HIM - his art, life, subjects, inclinations, etc., not just "The Kiss", (which has been written about a million times now, lol), so while it wasn't at the top, I'm very proud of this poem, and so thankful that you and others (below) found it worthy. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Jannie Breedt Date: 1/2/2018 4:24:00 AM Hi Greg. Bravo again! Youre no 1 on best new poems starting 2018 in with this brilliant couplet. It makes me so happy to see you here again. You are an inspiration to me. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/2/2018 4:33:00 AM Oh, my dear friend, Jannie - you are too kind! Your opinion will always be very important to me, as will your friendship, and I'm so thankful for both! Blessings and sincere thanks to you, my brother! :-)

John Fleming Date: 1/1/2018 7:17:00 AM Never before have I read rhyming verse that just simply rolls off the tongue with such consummate ease as this one does...absolutely sublime, Greg - truly! My warmest regards -- and best wishes for the New Year! :) john Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/2/2018 4:31:00 AM That means a great deal to me, John, coming from a wonderfully intelligent and talented poet such as yourself ... thank you SO much for the kind words! Blessings to you, my good friend! :-)

Kelly Hitchcock Date: 12/29/2017 2:01:00 PM Wow...I could only hope to find the words... True poetry! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/30/2017 8:40:00 PM That's very kind of you, Kelly, thank you so much! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Sunlite Wanter Date: 12/28/2017 5:53:00 PM Poetry Soup is so educational! Here I am introduced to an artist I should have heard about, but who is new and fascinating to me - and then, there is Greg's tribute par excellence! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 5:59:00 PM Oh, that is so sweet of you, SW, and I so greatly appreciate your lovely comments! You always post things that are so heart-felt and thoughtful, and I hope you know I do NOT take them for granted. Blessings to you, My Dear Poet Friend! :-) <3

Eve Roper Date: 12/28/2017 1:52:00 PM Great verse , Gregory, congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve~`* Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 3:07:00 PM Thank you very much, Eve - bless you! :-) <3

Sheila Haskins Date: 12/28/2017 1:05:00 PM What a beautiful tribute, to an innovative and perceptive artist. I love Klimt, and I loved the poem. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 3:06:00 PM That's very kind of you, Sheila, thank you so very much! Blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 12/27/2017 5:30:00 PM Your art is in unison with the painting style of this wonderful artist Greg! This is magnificent!!!.You are one talented poet! Bravo! : ) Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 3:06:00 PM That's very sweet of you, Connie, and I thank you so very much, Dear friend ... blessings! :-) <3

John Hamilton Date: 12/27/2017 3:03:00 PM I'm not familiar with the artist but I love this poem, just stunning writing Greg, have to fave this work of art! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 3:05:00 PM Thank you so much, John, this one is very special to me ... I'm so pleased you saw the quality in it. I tried to cover all the bases - his personality, struggles, painting style, color tendencies, subjects, and do so with a similar grace and beauty - not just one famous painting. Blessings, Bro. :-)

Probir Gupta Date: 12/26/2017 8:42:00 AM What a beautiful couplet for Gustav Klimt ... How powerfully you use your words ... Congratulations on your nice win ... Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 3:02:00 PM ou are very kind with your comments, Probir, thank you so very much, Friend. Blessings! :-)

James Edward Lee Sr. Date: 12/25/2017 11:11:00 PM This is a beautiful and well verse couplet. A fav. congrats on your placement in the contest. James Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/28/2017 3:01:00 PM Thank you so much, James, that's very kind of you, my friend! :-)

Subimal Sinha-Roy Date: 12/25/2017 10:24:00 PM Congratulations, Greg on your win. What a unique poetic depiction of the contents! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/25/2017 10:29:00 PM Thank you so much, Subimal - I greatly appreciate your kindness, my friend!

Bernard Chan Date: 12/10/2017 6:23:00 AM Hi Greg, your lines do justice to the subject and more. Klimt would approve. Poetic bliss! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/10/2017 11:18:00 PM Oh, that's very kind of you to say, Bernard, and about the best comment I could get! Thank you so very much, my friend! Blessings! :-)

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/6/2017 9:37:00 PM Greg your words mirror his brushstrokes, so well done my friend, my best to you xomo Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/7/2017 4:34:00 AM Thank you, Mo, I'm glad you liked this one ... blessings, kiddo! I hope all's well with you! <3

Judith S Date: 12/5/2017 3:03:00 PM Wow Greg!! This is just amazing. You are a master at poetic language. Just loved this. Best of luck! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/6/2017 2:10:00 AM You're very kind with your comments to me, Judy, and I greatly appreciate it - I'm so happy you enjoy my style! Blessings, Dear Friend! <3 :-)

Line Gauthier Date: 12/5/2017 2:37:00 PM Beautiful, Gregory. GL Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/6/2017 2:09:00 AM Thank you muchly, Line - blessings! :-)

Lin Lane Date: 12/5/2017 9:12:00 AM I knew you would choose something other than 'The Kiss.' The colors you've chosen to describe Klimt's works are exactly what I see when I look at his masterful art. This is an excellent write, Greg. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/6/2017 2:09:00 AM That's so kind of you, Lin, thank you so much - I usually gravitate toward the lesser-known works of the masters, though I DO like "The Kiss" ... he's got such a wide variety of styles! Blessings, Friend! <3

Kim Rodrigues Date: 12/5/2017 7:52:00 AM Oh, now your just showing off! I will be faving this lovely poem! It surely must become POTD, Greg!! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/6/2017 2:07:00 AM Oh, that's very sweet of you, Kim, thank you very much ... that would be nice, but I think they're selected randomly, (though I really don't know). Blessings, my friend! :-) <3