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Paradise, Lost - Wwii

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I wriggle toes, down deep into the sand, Thus taking five short minutes in repose To breathe the tropic beauty of this land, Until the horrid stench assaults my nose. I've never seen such waters, crystal blue, That match these South Pacific island reefs, Yet now they're dyed a solid crimson hue, The blood of boys, atoned for bent beliefs. How can I be surrounded by such charms - By beauty that can take most any breath, And yet, I work retrieving legs and arms ... From waters, red, the vestiges of death? Now all that's left is searching thru the foam, For bits of these dear lads ... to send back home. ~ 3rd Place ~ in the "May 2019 Premier 4, Any Form - Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

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Susan Ashley

Date: 5/14/2019 3:20:00 PM

Gregory, the irony you present in your powerful poem is artistically articulated so beautifully.. heaven and hell can and do coexist. Harrowing yet tender poetry. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes always my friend.. ~Susan

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/8/2019 1:23:00 AM

Yes, they DO exist, Susan, you are so right - and often side-by-side ... here's hoping we can improve the size of heaven here on earth. Many thanks and blessings, my friend! :o) <3

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/13/2019 5:35:00 PM

Back to congratulate you on your deserving podium win. This well written piece kicks you in the gut! : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/8/2019 1:21:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Connie, I so appreciate it, my friend! :o) <3

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 5/13/2019 12:35:00 PM

P O W E R F U L Just a big fat WOW, excellent hard hitting piece Greg, congratulations for your win, xomo <3

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/8/2019 1:21:00 AM

Many kind thanks, Maureen ... I appreciate it! :-)

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/13/2019 9:40:00 AM

Grippingly penned exposition of the irony and tragedy that paradise and hell can exist side by side. Congrats on your trophy finish in the contest, and may we both live to see more of paradise and less of hell in this long-suffering world of ours! Best wishes, Greg. ~ Gershon

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/8/2019 1:20:00 AM

Let's hope so, my friend ... I'd like to think that way, but the human race is so innately destructive and hateful. I pray I'm wrong. Many thanks, my good friend! :o)

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/13/2019 8:59:00 AM

Gripping imagery, Gregory. Congrats on your well deserved podium finish.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/8/2019 1:19:00 AM

Thank you so much, Line! :-)

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/19/2019 7:53:00 PM

So heart-wrenching, Greg, but so well written, as only you can, to recreate this scene in the first person as if you are right there in its present beauty but haunted by the horrific nightmares that took place there back in time. Congratulations on your well-deserved placement in this difficult contest. Sandra <3

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/30/2019 7:28:00 PM

Thank you so much, Sandra, I greatly appreciate your kind words ... some poems are more special to us (as writers) than others, and this one is very special to me, as war is something that is so absolutely inane and pointless. Blessings to you for your kind words, my friend! :-) <3

Eve Roper

Date: 1/19/2019 11:01:00 AM

Greg, enjoyed reading this fabulous well descriptive and well written poem that arouses strong emotions. Congratulations on your win!:). Hugs Eve ~`*

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/19/2019 4:50:00 PM

Oh, how sweet you are to me, Eve, and I thank you so very much ... blessings to you for a prosperous new year! :-) <3

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 1/19/2019 10:04:00 AM

The ugliness of war is clearly spelled out in the final couplet, Greg. Your rhyme and meter are perfect and I like the way your place yourself into the war as one who looks for the remains to send home to families. Congratulations on your win!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/19/2019 4:49:00 PM

That's very sweet of you, Carolyn, and I thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I have very distinct memories of being on a battleship in the South Pacific in WWII, (more-than-dream-type memories), so it seems very natural to take the first person. I pray only that I do those folks some honor. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/2/2019 2:28:00 PM

A heart wrenching view of the pain and loss of war Greg. Brilliantly composed for Mark's contest! A sure winner in my eyes. Blessings for a wonderful new year in 2019! xxoo : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/9/2019 4:58:00 AM

Many kind thanks to you, Connie, for your wonderful words of support and friendship ... your opinion means a lot to me! Blessings, My Friend! :-) <3

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/2/2019 2:18:00 PM

A harrowing sonnet Gregory, one can only imagine the horrors that many experience in wars. Tom.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/9/2019 4:57:00 AM

One of the worst things that man has brought to this earth, we must stop it forever. Thanks and blessings to you, Friend! :-)

Barry Stebbings

Date: 1/2/2019 10:48:00 AM

Wow! That is so powerful Gregory. Definitely a Fav from me and I think one of your best. // Barry

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/9/2019 4:56:00 AM

That's very kind of you, Barry, and I thank you so much, my friend! Blessings to you! :-)

Heather Ober

Date: 1/2/2019 8:28:00 AM

Oh, wow. The contrast of beauty and death here is so powerful. The flow is seamless and the rhymes are perfect.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/9/2019 4:55:00 AM

This is such a wonderful comment, Heather, and I thank you so much ... I'm so pleased that you found this worthy of such kindness! Blessings! :-) <3