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Full moon ... or nearly ... I sit on the pier as it groans with swells, Dangling my nostalgic heart in the freezing Atlantic, Forty-plus years gaze back at me, frowning. (Is it my heart that speaks my name?) Then - my girlfriend and best friend, also a girl, Three mad musketeers on a runaway train of endorphins, Lost in a chaotic swirl of confused emotional surges ... Freedom, hormones, a van. the warm summer evenings. (Is it my heart that fans the flame?) I'd sneak in the sliding glass doors at six every morning, Sleep a couple of hours, work in the family store from ten-to-six, Drive the forty-five minutes to pick up the girls, Then off ... the islands, the beaches, the city, the lake ... (Is it my heart that seeks to blame?) Craziness and music and all things that teenage kids shouldn't do - Repeat the process the entire summer ... yeah, entire ... How did we survive? How did we live on just three hours sleep? Why is my soul the only one drowned in this bay? (Is it my heart that feels the same?) Why is mine the only forlorn spirit that wanders back, sullen? The god on a cloud tossing pixie dust - Watching it sink to the cold depths ... With those damned, hopelessly hopeful dreams. ~ 3rd Place ~ in the "Brian's Choice S, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/28/2019 2:34:00 PM

Oh, you hopelessly hopeful romantic, you! Many congrats on this poignant Poem of the Day, if belatedly. Best wishes, Gershon

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/29/2019 2:44:00 AM

Thank you so much, Gershon, I really appreciate that ... I am certainly that, if not hopefully hopeless, lol. I'm glad you enjoyed this one - blessings, my friend! :-)

Robert Lindley

Date: 4/20/2019 5:33:00 AM

Somehow I missed finding this wondrously polished and exquisite jewel had been awarded POTD! Huge congratulations on that my great friend. A very well deserved choice!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/20/2019 6:00:00 AM

Robert, My Poet Brother, I am so grateful for your kindness and friendship, and I'm so pleased you liked this one ... blessings to you and yours always! :-)

Charles Messina

Date: 4/17/2019 7:25:00 AM

Greg, this gave me chills as I closed my eyes and saw myself after reading this gem. You're such a great poet my friend and you have a great way of saying things..making all you write SO real. Belated Congratulations on your POTD. Blessings...Charlie

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/20/2019 5:59:00 AM

Thank you so much, Charlie, you are a good man, a great poet, and this is such a heartfelt comment ... it really means a lot to me, my friend! Blessings! :-)

Susan Ashley

Date: 4/12/2019 6:43:00 PM

I was swept up in the beautiful nostalgia and forlorn feelings of your poem, Gregory. A shining gem. Congratulations on your wonderful and well deserved recognition with POTD honors. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/12/2019 11:59:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Susan, this is such a kind comment and it means so much ... I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem - that it touched your heart in some way. Blessings, friend! :-) <3

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 4/12/2019 3:06:00 PM

Congrats on being in the top 100 new poems! Also Congrats on POTD status.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/12/2019 11:58:00 PM

Very kind, Richard, I thank you so much, my friend! :-)

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 4/7/2019 1:36:00 AM

We only have to sit quietly and think about our youth and it all comes flooding back - congratulations on POTD a creative, well presented poem with incredible imagination. Well done Gregory, Poetry hugs, Jennifer.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/8/2019 7:46:00 PM

If only it would come back in actuality ... many people say they wouldn't go back, but I would in an instant. I'd probably make all the same mistakes, though, hence why nature doesn't allow it, I think. ;-) Many thanks and blessings, Friend! <3

Carole Duet

Date: 4/6/2019 6:50:00 PM

Gregory, I see you had gotten POTD for this beautifully nostalgic poem. I can see why. Who doesn't look back on the hopes and dreams of their youth? The key is always: What have we learned? And, even though all our dreams may not come true, we must never give up hope for something new and maybe even better. Love this poem though. FAVED

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/8/2019 7:43:00 PM

Yes, thank you so much, Carole! We just change our dreams as WE change, I think, but never really lose them ... as far as what I've learned, for me, not nearly enough, it seems, lol. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 4/5/2019 7:26:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD honor for sharing this part of your youth. : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/8/2019 7:39:00 PM

Many kind thanks, Connie - blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Brandy Nicole

Date: 4/5/2019 6:25:00 PM

Those were the days, when moments were light and carefree. Adventurous!! Ahh, they still are- just in a different way. You have expressed this so beautifully, and with such emotion. Congratulations Greg, on Poem of the Day! My best to you my dear friend. ~ Brandy

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/8/2019 7:37:00 PM

Oh, this is so very sweet, thank you so much, Brandy ... I'm very pleased that you enjoyed this one. Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

John Hamilton

Date: 4/5/2019 1:33:00 PM

Congrats Greg on POTD, everything you write could be POTD. Nostagia get's us everytime, but two girls? You were a scoundrel weren't you? Loved the rhyming refrain really makes this poem POP!!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:50:00 PM

Ha - yes, one was just my best friend, though, and far too intelligent to ever actually DATE me, lol, (and she is an amazing poet - even then!) ... but certainly a scoundrel, was I. Many thanks and blessings, Buddy! :-)

Agnes Krampe

Date: 4/5/2019 11:11:00 AM

Congrats on your POTD, Greg!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:49:00 PM

Thank you muchly, Agnes - bless you! :-) <3

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 4/5/2019 9:43:00 AM

Beautifully told nostalgic image!!! Congratulations!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:48:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Sunlite - blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 4/5/2019 9:40:00 AM

Swept away in time and space, a wonderful read! Fantastic piece Greg. Congratulations on POTD my friend! xomo <3

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:48:00 PM

I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one, Mo, and thank you for the kind comments - blessings! :-) <3

Eve Roper

Date: 4/5/2019 9:21:00 AM

Perfect imagery you've created a romantic canvas and written free verse, Greg. Have a nice weekend. Hugs Eve ~`*

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:47:00 PM

That's very sweet of you to say, Eve, I thank you very kindly, Friend! :-) <3

Winged Warrior

Date: 4/5/2019 8:43:00 AM

Well crafted verse my poetic bro...Congrats!!! on POTD!! Gregory...love & light...^WW^...{*J*}

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:47:00 PM

Thank you so much, Brother - so appreciated! I'm happy you found this one worthy, ^WW^ - blessings! :-)

Joseph May

Date: 4/5/2019 7:27:00 AM

Nothing beats youthful energy..Congrats on POTD Greg..

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:46:00 PM

Many kindly thanks to you, Joseph - I'm pleased you liked it, my friend! :-)

John Gondolf

Date: 4/5/2019 6:32:00 AM

Really enjoyed this, Greg, the older we get the more we think back to the craziness of our youth and wonder how we survived it and wishing we could re-live it. Congrats on POTD. John

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:45:00 PM

Amen, John, as crazy as it was, I would go back in an instant - it was the best period of my life. Thanks you, Brother! :-)

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/5/2019 5:37:00 AM

A deep and creative write Gregory, a well deserved POTD honour. Tom

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:44:00 PM

That's very kind, Tom, thank you so much! :-)

Tania Kitchin

Date: 4/5/2019 4:49:00 AM

A great write Greg, it shows your wonderful talent and creativity, congratulations on POTD!!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:43:00 PM

Thank you very much, Tania - blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 4/5/2019 4:09:00 AM

- Excelent written, Gregory :) - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:43:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Anne-Lise - blessings! :-) <3

Robert Lindley

Date: 4/4/2019 3:05:00 PM

Absolutely enchanting in its creativity, emotion, wondrous depths, inner thoughts and beauty my great friend! A fav, truly a precious gem..

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/5/2019 4:42:00 PM

Thank you so much, Robert - I so appreciate it, my friend! :-) (I owe you a Soup Mail - coming!)