Gregory Richard Barden Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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

Seeking Serenity

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 November 12, 2018 at 4:20 PM Congrats on your top win, Gregory.

Geoffrey Brewer April 26, 2018 at 9:20 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 May 29, 2018 at 12:28 AM Very kind of you to say, Geoffrey, and I so greatly appreciate it, my friend! :-)

Eve Roper April 25, 2018 at 9:25 PM Congratulations on your win, Greg, wonderful poem ..Hugs Eve ~`* Gregory Richard Barden May 29, 2018 at 12:27 AM Many kind thanks, Eve - blessings! :-) <3

James Inman April 25, 2018 at 7:18 AM Gregory, one of the best I've read here. A beautiful truly poetic piece. A great write that speaks solitude. Gregory Richard Barden May 29, 2018 at 12:26 AM Wow - what an amazing comment, and I so greatly appreciate the kind words, James! Blessings! :-)

Line Gauthier April 24, 2018 at 8:43 PM Lovely, congrats on your win, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden May 29, 2018 at 12:25 AM Thank you, Line!

Joyce Johnson April 24, 2018 at 7:19 PM Congratulations on your lovely poem and win. Well done. and different. Love, Joyce Gregory Richard Barden May 29, 2018 at 12:25 AM Thank you so much, Joyce - blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Susan Gentry April 24, 2018 at 5:24 PM Congratulations on your win. Was right there while I read... like the "Thus set adrift, my thoughts..." Well done! Gregory Richard Barden April 24, 2018 at 7:07 PM Thank you so very much, Susan, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one - blessings to you, friend! :-) <3

Beautiful Scars April 24, 2018 at 8:52 AM beautifully expressed dear Gregory! lovely poem congratulations and thank you ;) -luloo Gregory Richard Barden April 24, 2018 at 7:00 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 April 23, 2018 at 7:50 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 April 23, 2018 at 8:30 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 April 22, 2018 at 7:56 PM Ah! so reminiscent of Robert Frost's "the Road Not Taken"---'barden-melted in a lake! Eloquent excellence! :) gw Gregory Richard Barden April 23, 2018 at 8:28 PM Thank you so much, Gershon, that was indeed the inspiration for this poem. Blessings, Friend! :-)

Jean Murray April 21, 2018 at 7:19 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 April 21, 2018 at 6:57 PM That's so nice to hear Greg. Thank you. Gregory Richard Barden April 21, 2018 at 9:55 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 April 19, 2018 at 1:16 PM Frost would approve. Well done, Greg. Gregory Richard Barden April 20, 2018 at 5:35 PM Very kind of you, Lin - thanks so much! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart April 19, 2018 at 12:21 PM I feel the undertow. <3 Gregory Richard Barden April 20, 2018 at 5:34 PM Thank you, Mo! :-) <3

Sandra Haight April 19, 2018 at 9:13 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 April 20, 2018 at 5:34 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