Gregory Richard Barden Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

Life, To Me

Colors daubed for seasons' scenes
          I sift through life for what it means
               In spite of chaos, shades and flings
     It comes down to the simple things

The mountain tops, the dark abyss'
          Have ground my egos down to this
               Of all the chance and spheres I'm of
     Life's worth and essence is ... but LOVE

Indeed, I've lived big moments, too
          The raptures and sweet rendezvous
               Moving mountains - burning skies
     Bright lilting lashes, soft lullabies

Shedding poisons like second skin
          Too few dreams to wear them in
               I dared the devil, danced with death
     Swore for mercy's whisp'ring breath

So just when ends seemed all to be
          This extra chance was proffered me
               Don't take for granted or yet waste
     That vigor gained from rigors faced

Don't tend concerns to end or start
          It's what's between that fills a heart
               True meaning - love's enduring kiss
     A life's no less or more ... than THIS.





~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Strand Select, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 7th Place ~  in the "Favourite Poem From May, 2019" Poetry Contest, Julia Ward, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "The Meaning of Life" Poetry Contest, Chantelle Anne Cooke, Judge & Sponsor.

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Eve Roper January 4, 2020 at 9:01 PM Congratulations on your win in Brian Strand’s contest. Hugs Eve Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2020 at 9:50 PM Thank you very much, Eve, I appreciate it muchly - blessings and hugs to you! :o) <3

Juliet Ligon January 1, 2020 at 12:20 PM You flip my trolly again and again, Gregory. Seems everything you write is lovely! Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2020 at 9:50 PM Oh, that's very sweet of you, Juliet, and I so appreciate your kind words ... you always express your thoughts honestly, and your comments are valuable to me. Blessings and thanks to you, My Friend! :o) <3

P.S. Awtry July 6, 2019 at 4:29 PM Each of these stanzas would stand alone as a beautiful poem making this all together perfect. Several lines that are breathtaking...and that second stanza, well I think that's my favorite. Thank you for sharing this poem with us! It is a FAV for me :) Gregory Richard Barden July 6, 2019 at 5:44 PM You are very sweet, PS, and I'm so happy you enjoyed my poem! Thank you so kindly for the marvelous comment, and for fav-ing! Blessings, my friend! :o) <3

Susan Ashley July 6, 2019 at 4:00 PM I was captivated by your exceptional introspection on life, Gregory. The mountain highs and valley lows and all the challenges and gifts in between are so artistically expressed with beautiful imagery and emotion. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes always my friend.. ~Susan Gregory Richard Barden July 6, 2019 at 5:42 PM What a gorgeous comment, Susan, and I thank you so very much for taking the time to write such kind words. I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem - blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Debjani Mitra June 15, 2019 at 8:45 PM What a beauty... This can really make the readers fall in love with life and of course your poem too. Congrats Gregory Richard Barden June 27, 2019 at 7:41 AM Thank you so very much, Debjani, I'm so pleased that you liked my poem! Blessings and peace to you, my friend! :-) <3

Smita Kulkarni June 12, 2019 at 1:09 PM Such a lovely poem Greg! Congratulations on your win! -Smita Gregory Richard Barden June 12, 2019 at 10:02 PM That's very kind of you, Smita, and I thank you kindly for your wonderful words. Blessings! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong June 7, 2019 at 11:12 AM Gee, I don't see my comment yet I know I wrote one Greg. Congratulations on this wonderful poem receiving a trophy. So well deserved! : ) xxoo Gregory Richard Barden June 12, 2019 at 10:01 PM I KNOW you write a comment, Connie - very strange, (although they've been having "glitches" again of late). Please know how important your opinion is to me, and that I would NEVER delete a comment of yours, (even if it was negative). Many thanks, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Darlene De Beaulieu June 5, 2019 at 5:23 PM Hello Gregory R. Barden, Love this poem. It is so beautiful. My fav verse is the last one, it speaks to me. Have a nice evening my friend. Gregory Richard Barden June 12, 2019 at 9:59 PM You have a wonderful evening as well, my friend - thank you so very kindly for this marvelous comment! Blessings! :-) <3

Dean Wood June 5, 2019 at 5:08 PM "Don't take for granted or yet waste That vigor gained from rigors faced" I loved this bit of counsel Greg. What a wonderful piece of poetry. Well done! Dean Gregory Richard Barden June 12, 2019 at 9:57 PM Oh, such a wonderful comment, Dean, and it means a great deal ... thank you so much, my friend! Blessings to you! :-)

Panagiota Romios June 2, 2019 at 3:28 AM You are one, stupendous Poet. This is totally a FAV.I am moved beyond words, honestly. You are a winner in this poem and with your pen, on my follow list.God Bless From California with love, Panagiota xoxo Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 4:00 PM Oh, this is such a wonderful comment, Panagiota, and I know it is heartfelt and sweet like you! Many kind thanks and blessings to you, Dear Poet! :-) <3

John Hamilton May 30, 2019 at 8:55 AM Congrats on another great win G, you deserve all the accolades for this one, an all time great poem, I have to fave this one!! Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:59 PM Many thanks to you, John, I'm very happy you liked this one, Bud! Blessings! :-)

Phil Capitano May 30, 2019 at 4:28 AM Brilliant as ever Greg, you've filled in all the empty spaces with love. Congrats on this winner. Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:58 PM That's very kind of you, Phil, thank you so kindly, my good friend! :-)

Line Gauthier May 29, 2019 at 10:48 AM Beautiful, Gregory. Congrats on your well deserved gold medal win. Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:58 PM Thank you so very much, Line! :-) <3

CayCay Godwin May 29, 2019 at 9:27 AM This is fantastic writing, breathtaking. Congratulations on your trophy but the poem outshines it! Poetry hugs ... CayCay Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:56 PM That's very kind of you to say, CayCay, and I'm so pleased you liked it! Many thanks and blessings to you, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart May 29, 2019 at 9:23 AM Stupendous piece Greg! Absolutely wonderful, a fave ;o* Congratulations on your top win! xomo <3 Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:54 PM Many kind thank you's to you, Mo, I am so appreciative and happy that you found this one worthy! Blessings! :-) <3

Sandra Haight May 29, 2019 at 8:36 AM I love your beautiful poem, Greg, and it's going straight into my Faves! You have grasped so well the real meaning of life. Congratulations on your well-deserved Trophy win! Sandra <3 :) Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:53 PM Why, THANK you, Sandra, I so greatly appreciate the Fav-ing ... I'm so happy you enjoyed this one, my friend! :-) <3

John Hamilton May 28, 2019 at 9:09 AM This one is special G, loved every word,I sense a winner has arrived! Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:53 PM Thank you very much, John - you called it! Blessings, Bud! :-)

Kim Rodrigues May 28, 2019 at 8:58 AM So many great points made - living big moments, shedding poisons and true meaning love’s enduring kiss! A beautiful write, my friend! A fave! Gregory Richard Barden June 2, 2019 at 3:52 PM Thank you SO much, Kim, I came at this one from a very honest perspective ... sometimes it works, sometimes it's a disaster, lol, I think it worked OK this time. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3