Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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Joined By Words

~ for my fellow poets ~


as slaves to the pen
or our keyboard, more apt
this molding of words
in a word, holds us rapt

fine fancies or fears
take us places unknown
our muse and our craft
better focused alone

the voice of our id -
the bounce of our rhyme
thus, charming or edgy
depending the time

midst romantic puddles
and whimsical trees
we splash our ideas
casting love to the breeze

a danger or hope or
a scorched trist-or-two
occur mind-to-matter
with the lines we imbue

the light AND the dark,
they both hold allure
our child's heart within -
just a tad bit impure

for tho we adore all the
things blithe and bright
we also know beauty
blooms deep in the night

if somber or joyous
thru passage or pain
it’s creatively ordered
thru rhyme and refrain

it's not that we're allied
- that we always agree
it's how we can sculpt
all the wonders we see

so although we may be
as different as spices
we’re thrall to our verses
whatever that price is

for it's a rare language
that few can command
but we speak it together
with a pen in our hand

so you may be a person
whom I've never met
but the gift of your writing
I'll never ...

forget.






~ 1st Place ~  in the "What Do We Have In Common" Poetry Contest, Kim Rodrigues, Sponsor.

~ Poem of the Day ~  featured on Poetry Soup.com on May 11, 2018 - many thanks to those in charge for the honor.

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Zyrool Gifford Date: 5/1/2025 10:35:00 PM Hello Gregory, this is superbly done. A pleasurable read, fellow writer. Login to Reply

Indiana Shaw Date: 7/28/2021 10:37:00 AM A poem that says it all, and I loved the way the poetry danced down the lines, both well deserved honours Gregory, an enjoyable read . . . : ) Login to Reply

Barbara Barry-Nishanian Date: 6/4/2018 8:14:00 PM Friend, it 's the gift of' your writing' we can't forget. POTD and 1st, so very well deserved. Want to say more, but you NEVER disappoint ...you know I admire your talent and skill. bbn Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/5/2018 4:07:00 PM You are always so kind to me, Barbara, and you always speak your heart, and that makes your comments all the more meaningful and appreciated! Many thanks and blessings to you, Dear Friend! :-) <3

Robert Lindley Date: 6/3/2018 9:51:00 PM Stunning poetic craftsmanship my friend. A gem that brightly shines and holds truth and beauty as twins in its message and great flow.. A fav... Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/5/2018 4:06:00 PM Thank you so much, Robert, this means a great deal to me, my good friend! Blessings! :-)

Line Gauthier Date: 6/2/2018 9:26:00 PM Well done, Gregory. Congrats on your top win. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/5/2018 4:05:00 PM Thank you so much, Line! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 6/1/2018 1:51:00 AM I can easily see how this fantastic poem was awarded first place Gregory. You have defined the poet's heart with your words in this lovely, Poet's poem! Bravo! Congratulations! xxoo : ) Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/1/2018 3:44:00 AM That's very sweet of you, Connie, thank you so much! I'm glad to see you're back - I pray you are FAR away from the volcanic shake-ups going on there - exciting but scary stuff. I still plan to write my bio for the site, it's just been crazy here of late, (hoping it levels out soon) ... I'll explain in my email. Blessings, Friend! :-) <3

L. J. Carber Date: 5/29/2018 11:45:00 AM Nice Greg-- I especially like the 4th and 6th stanzas. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/29/2018 7:01:00 PM Thank so much, LJ - much appreciated! :-)

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 5/27/2018 7:14:00 PM Hello Gregory, a beautifully written poem. i hav enjoyed to read. These are true words said. Have a nice evening my friend. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/28/2018 12:02:00 AM Many kind thanks to you, Darlene - you have a wonderful evening as well, my friend! :-) <3

Scott Thirtyseven Date: 5/27/2018 9:35:00 AM You said that very well. Full of poetry, and imagination. Great read. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/28/2018 12:01:00 AM Thank you very much, Scott - blessings! :-)

Brian Densham Date: 5/25/2018 10:04:00 AM Almost a study. Could well be an introduction to poetry writing. Nice. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:38:00 AM Thank you so very kindly, Brian, I am very pleased you enjoyed it! Blessings! :-)

Jannie Breedt Date: 5/24/2018 5:58:00 AM Hi Greg, again you made a thing of beauty. I just popped in for a spell. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:37:00 AM Oh, my friend, it is always a treat to "see" you around the site - you are in my thoughts and prayers daily! And thank you so much! :-)

Eve Roper Date: 5/22/2018 10:56:00 AM Congratulation on this wonderful well written write ... Hugs Eve Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:36:00 AM Thank you so very much, Eve - that's very kind! :-)

Jan Allison Date: 5/21/2018 2:35:00 PM Many congrats on your top spot Greg:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:32:00 AM Thank you so much, Jan, I so appreciate it! :-) <3

Janis Medders Tobechi Date: 5/21/2018 10:49:00 AM Congratulations on expressing the attributes of a poet so well. She is truly all this and more, as well as describing yourself in common. Well done. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:27:00 AM Thank you so much, Sian, that means a great deal to me ... blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Alexis Y. Date: 5/21/2018 10:20:00 AM WoW! Greg, I see why you got the top spot with this written piece. Great message and theme on "commonality ". Congratulations on getting your high placement and for getting the poem of the day. Both accolades were well deserved:-) Alexis Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:24:00 AM Many kind thanks to you, Alexis, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, (and it's great to see you back at the Soup!) ... blessings and best wishes, my friend! :-) <3

Susan Gentry Date: 5/21/2018 9:43:00 AM Congratulations on your #1 win in the what we have in common contest and also for POTD! Well done! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:23:00 AM Thank you so very much, Susan, I greatly appreciate it! :-) <3

Faraz Ajmal Date: 5/21/2018 9:30:00 AM Great write, really enjoyed reading it, I believe that any poet can relate to it. Cograts on your well deserved win in the contest and I also red that it won POTD, so congrats for it as well, good luck Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:22:00 AM Thank you so very much, Faraz, I believe it relates to poets as a whole as well, and I'm pleased you saw that potential. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/21/2018 9:15:00 AM I just noticed you received POTD with this lovely write! A huge congratulations!! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:21:00 AM Thank you again, Kim, that was icing on the cake! :-) <3

Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/21/2018 9:14:00 AM Slaves to the pen and loving it! Congrats, Greg! Hugs...Kim Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/26/2018 3:18:00 AM Thank you so much, Kim - I am so honored that you found my poem worthy! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Charlie Smith Date: 5/16/2018 11:01:00 AM Just beautiful work Gregory, congratulations on POTD honors,,, Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/16/2018 9:01:00 PM That's very kind of you, Charlie - thank you so much, Friend! :-)

James Swartz Date: 5/12/2018 4:47:00 AM Such wisdom in every line and image. Be real instead of perfect- truth and insight from deep within. A wonderful poem that is an excellent choice for POTD. Congratulations! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/15/2018 6:10:00 PM I'm very pleased you enjoyed my poem, James, and so thankful for your kind comments - blessings and best wishes, My Friend! :-)

Frederic Parker Date: 5/11/2018 5:42:00 PM There is a rhythm in your soul that gives a constant measure to your words from this gift you have been given and use so well...congratulations on POTD Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/15/2018 6:09:00 PM That is very kind of you to say, Frederic, and I am so thankful for your wonderful comment! Blessings, Friend! :-)

Correagndslkhsj Loaifhshfasjkh Date: 5/11/2018 4:23:00 PM Great write! Congrats on POTD. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/15/2018 6:08:00 PM Thank you very much, Connor!

Charles Messina Date: 5/11/2018 1:28:00 PM Great stuff, Greg! Awesome poetry and inked so well. Enjoyed the story...Congrats on your very well deserved POTD...All the best...Charlie Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/15/2018 6:00:00 PM I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Charles, and so thankful for your kind comments. Blessings, friend! :-)

Jack Cooper Date: 5/11/2018 12:47:00 PM Wow beautifully penned I really like the way you tell this story keeps the reader in suspense great job on this one.Jack2 Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 5/15/2018 5:58:00 PM Thank you so very much, Jack - blessings! :-)

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