Hands of a Master

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At my ripe age it's plain to me
That wisdom can come painfully

               But found within our trouble, too
               The best of what we humans do


All that's drawn from mind and heart
Is what weaves object into art

               Crimping spouts of twisted metal
               Changing common can to kettle


Time and Heaven's weep remake
A meager pond into a lake

               The finest instrument lays quiet
               Without a skillful hand to ply it


Still and barren, paints and brush
Until obliged a master's touch


               Pen and paper don't enthuse
               Sans a poet's poignant muse


And I am but a hand-less glove
Without my faith in God above

               A walking, breathing implement
               The tool for His divine intent.




~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Standard Contest Number 70" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Sponsor.

~ 3rd Place ~  in the "Kettle, Pond, Lake" Poetry Contest, Nayda Ivette Negron, Sponsor.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 5/23/2018 11:57:00 PM
These lines hold much wisdom. Very well crafted. My favorite line is "I am but a hand-less glove without my faith in God above."
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/24/2018 12:50:00 AM
Thank you so much, Juliet - I'm glad you enjoyed it. This one is special to me. Blessings! :-) <3
Date: 2/23/2018 9:58:00 AM
Your metaphors are deceptively powerful-- I especially like 'the finest instrument lays quiet without a skillful hand to ply it'-- congrats!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/24/2018 2:06:00 AM
So pleased you enjoyed it, LJ, and so very thankful of your kind comments! :-)
Date: 2/22/2018 10:35:00 PM
Back with well deserved congrats, Gregory.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/24/2018 2:05:00 AM
That's very sweet of you, Line, and I thank you very much! :-)
Date: 2/22/2018 9:16:00 PM
Very nice, Gregory! I love it! Congratulations. ...Fran
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/24/2018 2:05:00 AM
Many kind thanks, Fran ... so happy that you enjoyed it, my friend! :-)
Date: 2/22/2018 8:39:00 PM
Love it and especially: And I am but a hand-less glove Without my faith in God above Congrats, Greg!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/24/2018 2:04:00 AM
Very kind of you, Kim ... thank you so very much, Dear Friend! :-) <3
Date: 2/22/2018 6:56:00 PM
I'm back to say CONGRATS, Greg! Janice
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/24/2018 2:04:00 AM
Thank you very much, Janice! :-) <3
Date: 2/21/2018 4:17:00 PM
Love the spiritual message in your devine, creative approach, Gregory. Enjoyed this one. :)
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/21/2018 11:34:00 PM
Many kind thanks, Laura, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one, friend! :-) <3
Date: 2/21/2018 1:50:00 PM
Wonderful poetry dear poet, this is simple yet profound, just how I like it. Gotta fave this beauty!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/21/2018 11:33:00 PM
Thanks so much, Buddy, I greatly appreciate that! :-)
Date: 2/20/2018 9:13:00 PM
Extreme talent! Well played, Gregory.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/21/2018 11:33:00 PM
Very kind of you, Rhoda - thank you! :-) <3
Date: 2/20/2018 1:17:00 PM
I'm clapping. Love the imagery, the delivery, the flow, the moral, the poem in its entirety is a gem. A sparkling gem. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/21/2018 11:32:00 PM
That's very sweet of you, CayCay - thank you so much! :-) <3
Date: 2/20/2018 9:47:00 AM
SUPERB--to be added to favorites, Greg. Alexander Pope would have been impressed with the wisdom of these couplets! Janice
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/21/2018 11:31:00 PM
Wow - what a wonderful comment, Janice ... thank you very much, my friend! :-) <3
Date: 2/19/2018 12:42:00 PM
Awesome take on the challenge. Well done, Gregory.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/20/2018 5:10:00 AM
Very kind of you to say so, Line ... thank you, Friend! :-) <3
Date: 2/19/2018 11:29:00 AM
This is beautiful. I especially love, "Time and Heaven's weep remake A meager pond into a lake". You are indeed a poet.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/20/2018 5:10:00 AM
Such a wonderful comment, Dale, and I so greatly appreciate it ... you are indeed a poet yourself, my friend, and one I admire! Blessings! :-)
Date: 2/19/2018 10:14:00 AM
So true, making best out of waste is a beautiful gift.. I love your unique take on the theme and hope this does nicely in the contest :))
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/20/2018 5:08:00 AM
That's very kind of you, Sneha, and I thank you so much! Blessings, my friend! :-)
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