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Seeking Serenity

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In the spirit of the incomparable Robert Frost, and a poem I learned in childhood.

My mind to arms to hands to oars to lake I cleave the sunrise glass-like surface, still With just my lonely friend, a mallard drake Thus set adrift, my thoughts, upon the wake So buoyed by the breath of morning's chill ... Oh, how I long to know the somber deep To let my weary soul sink with the bream But I have many vows that I must keep My web-toed friend and I have loves to reap And many lochs to row before we dream ... Yes, many lochs to row ... before we dream. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Standard Contest Number 135 Any Form Or None" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 2nd Place ~ in the "Rhyme Time II" Poetry Contest, Laura Loo, Sponsor.

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Line Gauthier

Date: 11/12/2018 4:20:00 PM

Congrats on your top win, Gregory.

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 4/26/2018 9:20:00 PM

A lucid, lyrical poem with the immediate uncomplicated appeal of a watercolour. By the way, congratulations on reaching number one in the contest league.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/29/2018 12:28:00 AM

Very kind of you to say, Geoffrey, and I so greatly appreciate it, my friend! :-)

Eve Roper

Date: 4/25/2018 9:25:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Greg, wonderful poem ..Hugs Eve ~`*

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/29/2018 12:27:00 AM

Many kind thanks, Eve - blessings! :-) <3

James Inman

Date: 4/25/2018 7:18:00 AM

Gregory, one of the best I've read here. A beautiful truly poetic piece. A great write that speaks solitude.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/29/2018 12:26:00 AM

Wow - what an amazing comment, and I so greatly appreciate the kind words, James! Blessings! :-)

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/24/2018 8:43:00 PM

Lovely, congrats on your win, Gregory.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/29/2018 12:25:00 AM

Thank you, Line!

Joyce Johnson

Date: 4/24/2018 7:19:00 PM

Congratulations on your lovely poem and win. Well done. and different. Love, Joyce

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/29/2018 12:25:00 AM

Thank you so much, Joyce - blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Susan Gentry

Date: 4/24/2018 5:24:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. Was right there while I read... like the "Thus set adrift, my thoughts..." Well done!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/24/2018 7:07:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Susan, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one - blessings to you, friend! :-) <3

Lu Loo

Date: 4/24/2018 8:52:00 AM

beautifully expressed dear Gregory! lovely poem congratulations and thank you ;) -luloo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/24/2018 7:00:00 PM

Thank you very much for my placement, Luloo, to be on a list with such great poets is an honor, indeed! I will keep trying to improve and keep striving for a top spot with you, but very thankful for any placement ... my great uncle used to say that when we stop learning and growing, we stop living, and I think I agree - knowledge and growth keep us young. Blessings! :-) <3

Elaine George

Date: 4/23/2018 7:50:00 AM

There is a conservation area a few miles down the road from where I live. A river runs along it and within its boundaries, a lake. It is the place I go to find serenity as you have so beautifully conveyed in this poem. Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am. Elaine

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/23/2018 8:30:00 PM

That is such a wonderful comment, Elaine! I live on a nature preserve, and was raised by a lake, so I have always felt at home in the wild, and spent most of my growing years in the woods ... that was my version of video games! Many thanks and blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/22/2018 7:56:00 PM

Ah! so reminiscent of Robert Frost's "the Road Not Taken"---'barden-melted in a lake! Eloquent excellence! :) gw

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/23/2018 8:28:00 PM

Thank you so much, Gershon, that was indeed the inspiration for this poem. Blessings, Friend! :-)

Jean Murray

Date: 4/21/2018 7:19:00 AM

I don't remember poets or poems well from childhood like you do Greg, but the lines that inspired you here I made an exception for. I see you have reached the top spot and deservedly so. Congratulations.

Jean Murray
Date: 4/21/2018 6:57:00 PM

That's so nice to hear Greg. Thank you.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/21/2018 9:55:00 AM

This is such a sweet comment ... thank you so much, Dear Friend! You are a favorite of mine - poetry AND personality, (just wanted you to know). Blessings, Jean! :-) <3

Lin Lane

Date: 4/19/2018 1:16:00 PM

Frost would approve. Well done, Greg.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/20/2018 5:35:00 PM

Very kind of you, Lin - thanks so much! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 4/19/2018 12:21:00 PM

I feel the undertow. <3

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/20/2018 5:34:00 PM

Thank you, Mo! :-) <3

Sandra Haight

Date: 4/19/2018 9:13:00 AM

So dark and beautiful, Gregory. Brings my thoughts to Robert Frost's 'Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening.' He's my favorite poet. Love your poem...a Fave for me. Sandra

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/20/2018 5:34:00 PM

Thank you so much, Sandra, you are very kind ... that's the poem that inspired this, (dedication), that I memorized as a child. I actually memorized quite a few, but that was one of the first, (Wreck of the Hesperus, Out of the Cradle, Cadenus and Vanessa, etc.), and it has always been a fav. Blessings, my friend! :-) <3