Red Ink

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They say that stones and sticks are all that harm, But words can wreak more spoilage than a gun, And much more veiled and vexing to disarm ... While lead bullets shatter faces, Well-aimed words find deeper places, And phrases of faultfinding said in "fun", Can bleed an ink of red from insult's arm. Well-crafted words can change life in a wink, And transform ragged rain to heaven's tears, But just as quickly bring you to the brink ... And like a spoken arrow, Can saturate the marrow, Thus draining hope before it e'er appears ... And clotting in a pool ... of reddened ink. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Rhyme Time 6 - Verses Of Metaphors" Poetry Contest, Laura Loo, Judge & Sponsor.

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Lu Loo

Date: 9/11/2018 5:54:00 AM

great rhythm and rhyme! Love the layout too, beautifully expressed dear Gregory..thank you for your participation and congratulations on your placement...:)-luloo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/19/2018 3:36:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Luloo, I am honored and humbled by my placement, and this was such a wonderful and fun contest/project! You don't visit my poems much anymore, (and I miss your comments), so this is how I sneakily get you to come by, hehe! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Jesse Rowe

Date: 9/1/2018 8:21:00 PM

Absolutely loved this poem. Nina already mentioned the line, but "much more veiled and vexing to disarm" is such a perfect phrase. Congrats on your top win.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 8:51:00 PM

This is very kind of you, Jesse - thank you so much, my friend! :-)

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/30/2018 4:09:00 AM

a gripping read on the power of language....well done, gregory!..huggs

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 8:46:00 PM

Thank you so much, Nette - blessings! :-)

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/30/2018 2:46:00 AM

Words can hurt more than anything, well written, Greg:)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 8:46:00 PM

You are so right, Jo - they do more damage than war sometimes. Blessings and thanks to you! :-)

Brandy Nicole

Date: 8/29/2018 9:50:00 PM

Red is one of my favorite colors. :) Just saying. The color of the font in my email is red. :) Concerning your thoughts here: Words either heal or they hurt. We all have a choice in how we use our words. Whether to uplift another, or keep them grounded. ~ Brandy

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/7/2018 8:45:00 PM

This is so very sweet, Brandy, and I thank you so much for your heartfelt words! I love red as well, and all my Windows theme colors are red ... another way we are alike. Blessings and love to you, Dear Poet! :-) <3