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going my way -

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thick mist … breath of dusk … bearing its own tales the yellow bricks wind away swallowed by the brume fallow footprints, long since faded but I cared not to trace them anyway ... vacant souls searching for the most basic of virtues leading another young pilgrim to fates unknown ... and unnoted (the fog itself endows more guidance) … they never returned. crossroads ... proverbial AND actual my instructions were clear, as always the counsel, lucid and lettered yet life has never borne the conventional courses for me ... naught a prevailing wind or timid tack to weigh … regrets? real as rain ... but they bear conscience and wisdom - grateful, am I, for each. night … is closing in like a promise the forest, deep, yawns forsaken the lad in me longs for a sweet dream - a fanciful lullaby and final blink of lashes, soft … but ambition is a jealous mistress and she wrings complacency and excuse from the hems of my spirit - legacy and contrition dance the dark like fireflies love's wages howl in the night chilling my thoughts, my marrow ... my blood. the choice … was made for me, long ago … before these serpentine paths were packed and paved, the placement of my steps was ordered … that road untraveled - of red brick and border was written at time's inception upon the binding of my soul and there shan't be another ... going my way. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Best Free Verse July 1 - October 1" Poetry Contest, John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.

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Carol Mitra

Date: 4/10/2021 7:12:00 AM

Wow....I loved this write....deep and fulfilling :)

Susan Ashley

Date: 10/2/2018 6:43:00 PM

The depth and breadth of your deeply profound and beautifully executed poem is simply stunning, Gregory. Exquisite in every thought provoking and imagery provoking way. Congratulations on your excellent win.. ~Susan

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/4/2018 11:00:00 PM

This is such a wonderfully kind and heartfelt comment, Susan, and I'm so pleased you liked my poem! Many thanks and blessings to you, my friend! :-) <3

Warren Doll

Date: 10/2/2018 8:05:00 AM

A first class free verse, Gregory, Congratulations on your well deserved win,

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/4/2018 10:59:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Warren, I'm glad you liked it, my friend! Blessings!

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/1/2018 2:53:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, such an eloquent free verse!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/4/2018 10:58:00 PM

That's very kind, Michelle - I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, thank you! :-) <3

James Inman

Date: 10/1/2018 1:15:00 PM

An impressive and very enjoyable write Greg.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/4/2018 10:57:00 PM

Thank you so very kindly, James!

John Hamilton

Date: 10/1/2018 11:15:00 AM

This was as per usual amazing, loved every word, congrats Greg on a shared top win!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/4/2018 10:56:00 PM

Thank you so much, John, I so greatly appreciate the placement, and I'm honored to be on a list with such wonderful poets! Blessings! :-)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/9/2018 1:32:00 PM

oh this is so deep, Greg, and the concept of "fate" is what I like most about it. Like Anisha, I love that last stanza there shan't be another ... going my way. That is a WOW line. Very elegant writing. You are a poet's poet, my friend.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/10/2018 5:41:00 PM

I am SO happy you like this one, Andrea, as it came from a very deep place and is a poem I am very proud of, and speaks much to how I view life and myself. I love to write with ambiguity and layers, as you know, and this has some of that also. Thank you so much, My Dear Poet Buddy! :-) <3

Anisha Dutta

Date: 9/6/2018 1:37:00 AM

i like most the concluding stanza. All the best.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 7:30:00 PM

The same to you as well, Anisha, and thank you very much! :-) <3

Ralph Sergi

Date: 9/5/2018 12:44:00 PM

A very deep and yearning poem especially, "the choice was made for me , long ago" I covet this poem!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 7:29:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Ralph, I so appreciate the kind words, my friend! :-)

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 9/5/2018 4:40:00 AM

Wow. That poem is amazing and strikes a huge chord with me. On a much shallower note than your exquisite poem, I am at a crossroad yet again. My wife and I will be relocating from South Africa to Spain. And 'strangely enough, that is where I wanted to move when I was 18 years old. Did not have the courage yet when other certainties loomed. Now back to the beginning? Many wishes to you, Kai

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 7:28:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Kai, I'm pleased you like this one, and blessings to you and your wife in your relocation. I hope to do the same in the not-too-distant future, but not 100% sure WHERE yet, though southern Spain is on the list, (with South Pacific, Florida, Costa Rica). Please keep me updated - would love to know how it goes! :-)

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 9/4/2018 2:16:00 PM

You are so prolific. You can turn on length and depth like a spigot. I envy that.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/4/2018 4:04:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Dale, I will admit you are one of my favorite poets here - as such, you keep me striving to improve, and your comments bear much weight with me. I am always honored when you stop by, and I hope to return the favor soon ... it has been so crazy of late, but I miss reading and commenting, and hope to set aside regular time for that, as it is a joy for me. Blessings, friend.