Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Inventory, Ideal

Cherished ...
Is the word I use to describe
The works of poetry that I add to my preferred list

That list is quite limited ...
I suppose you could say I'm picky
But those poems are the whole package
NOT with respect to having all the elements
That I look for in good poetry
But rather how those pieces represent the ones who wrote them

If looking for perfection, the list might not exist
But I save the poems that speak to me of the author
How that particular poet sees this process
How they view life and love and the Universe in general
How they wield the various tools of language
To sculpt what THEY feel is poetry

But most of all ...
My preferred list is rife with enjoyment
The works that just plain MOVE me in some way
Light or dark, up or down, left or right, bad or good, happy or sad
If my heart thrums faster or my spirit is affected more intensely
If I'm left with the motivation and yearning for more
Then it gets added to the list ...

Poetry is a piece of the person who wrote it
And a gift to those who it reaches
The pleasure I find in unwrapping that gift
Is the worth I attach to it

So if it makes that special list
It's a gift I wish to open again-and-again
With the joy of a giggling child
On Christmas morning.





~ 1st Place ~  in the "Fave" Poetry Contest, Line Gauthier, Judge & Sponsor.

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Edward Ibeh December 18, 2019 at 5:17 PM Such a marvelous piece here, Greg:-) I couldn't agree with you more, especially on the last 2 stanzas. Incidentally, thanks again for faving my poem, "A Glimpse Of A Promising Day" Congrats on your top win! Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 1:00 AM Thank you so kindly, Sir Edward - your work is some of the best here at PS, and I hope to have more time soon to read and comment - I have missed doing so, especially the inspiration and ideas I get from doing so ... I just have not been able to this fall. I pray you are well, My Poet Brother! :o)

Lin Lane December 17, 2019 at 9:20 AM Poetry that resonates somehow to the reader is a present that can be opened many times by adding to a favorite list. Many of yours appear in mine, beginning with "Tell the Night to Hold Me." It's also a gift to the poet in the 'sincere' commendations it receives. I haven't been commenting on many poems lately, since there's been an inundation of Christmas related writes. Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:53 AM Oh my goodness, Lin - that was one I wrote very early-on, yet is still my most-viewed by FAR, (I think over 6,600 last I checked), and is on the top 100 all-time - thank you for fave-ing! Funny, it is certainly a fave of mine, too, but not my number one by any means ... sometimes what we look for as people is not always in sync with what we consider our "best", and strike other people differently. Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:53 AM (2) I think my personal fave is a short piece I wrote called "Soft, the Bells", though it never saw the success of "Tell the Night". Blessings and thanks for this wonderful comment, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Connie Marcum Wong December 16, 2019 at 6:56 PM You have expressed so beautifully what so many of us feel here Greg. Congratulations on your deserving first placement. Mele Kalikimaka! xxoo Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:58 AM That's very sweet of you to say, Connie, and I thank you so much - blessings! :o) <3

L. J. Carber December 16, 2019 at 8:25 AM Congrats Greg--I 100% agree with the 4th stanza, and the ending is pretty cool, sweet nostalgia! Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:57 AM Thank you so much, LJ, that is very kind of you - blessings, friend! :o)

Na Na December 16, 2019 at 12:41 AM Congrats on your winning poem :)~ Greg Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:56 AM Many kind thanks to you, Gregory! :o)

Subimal Sinha-Roy December 15, 2019 at 11:26 PM Congratulations, Greg on your 1st place win. Great revelations on poetry. Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:56 AM Thank you so kindly, Subimal, it is so greatly appreciated, my friend! :o)

Beata Agustin December 15, 2019 at 10:05 PM Wow! Congrats. Thanks for sharing this... especially these lines, so delightful to me: "Poetry is a piece of the person who wrote it And a gift to those who it reaches The pleasure I find in unwrapping that gift Is the worth I attach to it." God bless you, great Bard! Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:56 AM Amen, Beata, you are so right! Thank you for the kind comments, My Friend - blessings! :o) <3

Andrea Dietrich December 15, 2019 at 9:07 PM Let me say, this is MOST excellent indeed. Congrats on your well deserved top placement, Greg. I echo your sentiments. Gregory Richard Barden December 19, 2019 at 12:55 AM Thank you so much, Andrea, I greatly appreciate the kind words! :o) <3

John Hamilton December 14, 2019 at 7:05 PM What you say G I wholeheartedly agree, I guess I must know you well, I have 30 or so gifts from you! Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 3:34 AM And I have a number from you, Brother ... many kind thanks as always, Sir John! :o)