Gregory Richard Barden Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Sanctuary

There is a refuge, sweet, whereto I rush,

          (Where all but clever words would be remiss),

               When cheeks of evening sky begin to blush,

     As setting sun bestows a goodnight kiss.



I go there with my pen to thus inspire,

          And churn my muddled thoughts to acumen,

               To winnow passion's embers into fire,

     Or fan a flaring phrase of 'what' and 'when'.



It feeds to me a menu, rich and rare,

          Of musing souls as mine, that seek to plumb ...

               The depths of rapture, beauty and despair,

     A feast of all we've been and may become.


          But ...


No meal is perfect, that I must bequeath ...
     
     And this soup has sharks stirring ... underneath.




~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Shark In the Soup" Poetry Contest, Anthony Slausen, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 2nd Place ~  in the "A Stunner January 2018" Poetry Contest, Line Gauthier, Sponsor ... N/A'd on January 24, 2018, in the "Premiere Contest Number 390 Any Form" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Sponsor.

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Daniel Turner January 10, 2019 at 9:16 PM I certainly wish I knew who is chumming:) Perfect write!!! Gregory Richard Barden January 10, 2019 at 9:44 PM Oh, I like that analogy, lol! Thank you so much, my friend! I'm so pleased to see you "about" ... I hope you had a great holiday! :-)

P.S. Awtry January 6, 2019 at 5:33 PM First your writing is always beautiful! I really like the way your focus is on the good but acknowledges the danger. Congratulations! Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2019 at 3:10 AM Thank you so very much, PS, I so appreciate it, my friend! :-)

Andrea Dietrich January 6, 2019 at 4:21 PM wow, I can see how you got a high placement. Just terrific!! Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2019 at 3:09 AM Thank you very much, Andrea! :-) <3

Line Gauthier January 6, 2019 at 7:22 AM Congrats on your win, Gregory. Well penned. Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2019 at 3:09 AM Many kind thanks, Line! :-)

Tania Kitchin January 6, 2019 at 4:58 AM An awesome write, congratulations on your win! Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2019 at 3:09 AM Thank you very much, Tania - blessings! :-) <3

Jan Allison January 6, 2019 at 3:45 AM oh gosh I can relate big time Greg, soup is my sanctuary and I will never let any moron try to drive me away no matter how hard they try, I have a lifetime PM and I intend to use it until I can no longer hold a pen:-( hugs jan xx Gregory Richard Barden January 8, 2019 at 3:08 AM Oh, thank you so very much, Jan, I'm so glad you can relate ... in every way, I'm sure, and so pleased you enjoyed this one. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Subimal Sinha-Roy March 21, 2018 at 12:10 AM Congratulations on your great win, Greg. Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:08 AM Many kind thanks to you, Subimal! :-)

Agnes Krampe March 19, 2018 at 5:13 PM Beautifully, done! Congrats on your win, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:08 AM Very kind of you, Agnes - thank you! :-) <3

Sandra Haight March 19, 2018 at 3:03 PM Happy to see your deep and dark beautifully written Sonnet on this winners' list, Gregory. Congratulations! Sandra Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:08 AM That's so very sweet of you to say, Sandra, and I thank you SO much! Blessings! :-) <3

Jean Murray March 18, 2018 at 12:14 PM I wish I were as clever as you Greg. Your poems are plump for picking and juicy to those not so blessed at evening's setting sun. Again well done. Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:07 AM That's very sweet of you, Jean, and I am so thankful for your friendship and kind comments, but you ARE that clever, and are proving it constantly with your quality work! Blessings, Dear Friend! :-) <3

Bartholomew Williams March 18, 2018 at 11:25 AM Greg, you know I love all things nautical. Thank you very much for coming through with a wonderful poem for all of us, and a very well-deserved win!! I always loved this photo, but I think ultimately the sea will win (and the lighthouse topple). Also, that man must quickly jump back in and close the door! Blessings to you, friend! :) Bartholomew Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:05 AM I think you're right, and I've always wondered if that guy made it inside, (cuz there's a LOT of power there, closing in on him). Many thanks and blessings to you, my good friend! :-)

Paul Callus March 18, 2018 at 8:35 AM Although no harbor is perfect, at least it can serve as a momentary refuge where one can recuperate and regain enough strength to face new threats in life! A most enjoyable sonnet, my friend. Congrats on this merited win. Regards // paul Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:04 AM Amen! Well-said, my friend, and thank you so much - blessings! :-)

Janice Canerdy March 18, 2018 at 7:20 AM Congratulations on your win with this GREAT sonnet, Greg. I especially like the wisdom of the couplet! Janice Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:04 AM That's very sweet of you, Janice - thank you so! :-) <3

Newton Ranaweera March 18, 2018 at 7:14 AM Greg, this is a great write indeed. The harmony between setting and (smooth flow of) rhythm further enhances the meaning. A well-deserved win. Congratulations! Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:03 AM Many kind thanks to you, Newton, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Kai Michael Neumann March 18, 2018 at 3:55 AM Wow. I am totally taken in by your message, by the poem, by the shape. The shape of things to come. Congratulations and thank you. My writing is also my refuge and I must build it like a beachhut for those floods and raging winds. I am starting my day with your poem and I will continue to heed the call. Many wishes, Kai Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:03 AM That's very kind of you, Kai, and I so appreciate the wonderful comments! Keep building, my friend, for it is a structure of integrity and beauty that you're raising there ... blessings, Friend! :-)

Paul Marc March 18, 2018 at 3:22 AM Congratulations on your winning poem - very well deserved! Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:01 AM So kind of you, PM - thank you so much! :-)

Kim Rodrigues March 18, 2018 at 12:21 AM Tis lovely and now a winner! Congrats, my friend! Gregory Richard Barden March 22, 2018 at 3:01 AM Thank you very much, Kim! Blessings, friend! <3

Eve Roper March 17, 2018 at 7:34 PM Greg, well done and enjoyed reading.. Congratulations on your win! Hugs ~`* Gregory Richard Barden March 17, 2018 at 7:35 PM Very kind of you, Eve - I'm so pleased you liked it! Blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Anne-Lise Andresen March 17, 2018 at 1:41 PM - Gregory, congratulations on this beautiful winning poem :) - Happy weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Gregory Richard Barden March 17, 2018 at 7:33 PM The same to you, my friend, and thank you so much for the kind comment! :-) <3

Suzanne Delaney March 17, 2018 at 1:30 PM This is a stunning poem, Greg: So true to life....the darkness stirring underneath. Congratulations on your placement. SuZ Gregory Richard Barden March 17, 2018 at 7:32 PM That's very kind of you, SuZ, thank you so much, my friend! Blessings to you! :-) <3

Line Gauthier March 17, 2018 at 9:21 AM A rich and evocative poem, Gregory. Well done and congrats on your winning poem. Gregory Richard Barden March 17, 2018 at 7:32 PM Thank you so much, Line, I am honored! So pleased you found it worthy ... blessings! :-)

John Hamilton January 25, 2018 at 10:15 AM This is stunningly beautiful Greg, you have mastered the sonnet quickly(at least it seems to me) it is a rather satisfying form to play with. You've demonstrated you understand the power of the final couplet, and as Tom noted this was a stellar volta, a quick turn in direction of emotion, what an impact this one has, gotta fave this beauty! Gregory Richard Barden January 27, 2018 at 4:16 PM Wow, John, what an awesome comment, and I do NOT take such for granted. I am beginning to understand why Sonnets are so popular here, as they are SO much fun and enjoyment to write and read! Thanks for the kind words, Friend, I so appreciate it!

Pashang Salehi January 22, 2018 at 12:46 AM Beautiful sonnet nicely done. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:16 PM Thank you very much, Pashang ... that's very kind of you! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Line Gauthier January 21, 2018 at 4:37 PM Exquisitely done, Gregory. Absolutely beautifully penned. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:15 PM Many kind thanks to you, Line, thank you so much - best wishes, friend! :-) <3

John Lawless January 21, 2018 at 1:11 PM Ah yes, Gregory, the muse can be a tortured taunt....beautifully written. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:15 PM That's kind of you, my friend, so pleased you enjoyed it! Blessings, Friend! :-)