Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Pale Shelter

A child shelters ...
Under a bloody, swollen moon
Yearning the daylight
Soft beams show the way
But there is no ember ... no brightened clarity
No warm-to-the-marrow saturation
It is beautied, like the elements of love
But it can not fill the sky or heart
Wan and weak, it is pale substitute for sunshine
Even the shadows it daubs are undefined
Puddles of inky disregard and neglect
The night's cold, unaffected
Love's longing stretches deep into the dark
Questions crimping the edge of want
Ever nipping at self-worth and pride and expectation
But the child's eyes, transfixed ...
Moonlight has few equals ... shimmering, beautiful
But like love unexpressed, it is ONLY that
A word not said, a hand not held ... time not shared
A kindness unseen, a sacrifice unappreciated
A precious tear not kissed away
Moments - small and not - wasted
They all hide there in the shadows of the moon
Like the dear child ...
(Soon grown and gone)
Longing for the bold definition of daylight
The warming wonder of sunshine
The lasting aspect ...
Of LOVE.





~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Your Best New Poem" Poetry Contest, Emile Pinet, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Pale Shelter" Poetry Contest, John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.

( Inspired by the song "Pale Shelter" by Tears For Fears, and my own childhood )

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Connie Marcum Wong January 1, 2020 at 2:44 PM This is hauntingly beautiful Greg. A poem to ponder and reflect upon. Congratulations on your wonderful second place win. xxoo Gregory Richard Barden January 1, 2020 at 3:34 PM Many kind thanks to you, Sweet Poet, I appreciate that very much! Happy New Year! :o) <3

John Hamilton December 30, 2019 at 9:32 AM Congrats on another win with this beauty in Emile's contest, I got another N/A no wonder I enter so few contests! lol! Gregory Richard Barden January 1, 2020 at 3:33 PM Thank you so very kindly, John, I so greatly appreciate it ... I have a TON of N/A's, my friend, so don't get discouraged - it's all about personal preference, and you are a superb writer and lyricist! I'm happy to remind you anytime, Bud! ;-)

Andrea Dietrich December 28, 2019 at 8:17 PM BIG congratulations, Greg. I can see the kind of poetry Emile likes from reading yours and Dear Heart's. Ones that tug at the heart strings! You did very very well with the Pale Shelter theme inspiring you. (wish I had had a decent best NEW poem to have entered. haha) Gregory Richard Barden January 1, 2020 at 3:32 PM That's very sweet of you, Andrea, and I thank you so much! You have MANY decent new poems, are you kidding me? You are silly sometimes, but one of the things I love ya for, Buddy! Blessings! :o) <3

Emile Pinet December 28, 2019 at 5:26 PM Congratulations Gregory! Your beautiful poem has placed "Second" in my contest. This contest was very tough to judge, well done my friend, Emile. Gregory Richard Barden January 1, 2020 at 3:30 PM Many kind thanks to you, Emile, it is so greatly appreciated - please send the book to Charlie Messina ... he will love it, I'm sure! :o)

Sam Kauffman December 8, 2019 at 12:11 AM Hi Gary, Beautiful, strong imagery that carries the theme of your poem. Congratulations. Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:48 AM That's very kind of you, Sam, and I greatly appreciate the wonderful comments! :o)

Juliet Ligon December 7, 2019 at 11:19 PM Deep emotions. Congrats on your win! Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:47 AM Many kind thanks to you, Juliet - it's very much appreciated! :o) <3

Na Na December 7, 2019 at 5:37 PM Congrats on your winning poem Greg Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:46 AM Thank you very much, Gregory - I greatly appreciate it, friend! :o)

Lonna Blodgett December 7, 2019 at 2:14 PM Haunting and beautiful! Lonna Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:46 AM Thank you so much, Lonna! :o) <3

Sandra Adams December 7, 2019 at 1:53 PM well penned write for the contest Greg, not surprised to see you in first place... congratulations :) hugs Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:46 AM Oh, that's very sweet of you, Sandra, thank you very much, my friend! :o) <3

John Hamilton December 7, 2019 at 1:37 PM You touched my heart deeply with this one... keen insight shown as you remember we have similar upbringing... and my love for the moon. Priceless write and congrats on a top win! Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:45 AM I knew you would relate to this on multiple levels, John, and I'm pleased that you liked it. Blessings, my friend! :o)

Na Na December 4, 2019 at 11:34 PM Very nice rendition of pale shelter Greg. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2019 at 2:44 AM Many thanks to you, Gregory, much appreciated! :o)