Gregory Richard Barden Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

* This is a sunset photo of the Atlantic Ocean, taken from the summit of Mt Cadillac, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, in my home state of Maine. I used to go there every summer ... but it now holds a rather bitter memory for me. I do, however, recommend it highly, as it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. *

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Sour Grapes

We sat upon the rocks, my love and I

Atop Mount Cadillac, there by the sea

And as a doubloon sun slid down the sky

I asked her, with my ring, to marry me


Now it was not to her, complete surprise

For we had often talked of marriage, soon

Yet 'tween the Tanzanite to match her eyes

A limpid diamond now shone with the moon


And while I'd worked so hard to fill her needs

To tend our bloom of love and help it grow

That ring so cut my heart, (and still it bleeds)

For back it came with one sharp edge of "no"


Then, as I rose in soundless rage to leave ...

I gave our love and that damned ring ... a heave.




Ten syllables/line, counted at HowManySyllables.com

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Line Gauthier September 14, 2018 at 8:04 PM Her loss! Your freedom! Congrats on the well penned poem, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden September 14, 2018 at 9:00 PM Ha! Thank you so much, Line ... I think perhaps you're right, that it was the correct outcome. I believe NOTHING in this life is "coincidence"> Blessings, dear friend! :-) <3

John Hamilton September 13, 2018 at 7:57 PM Knew it...said it...Well done again!! Gregory Richard Barden September 14, 2018 at 8:58 PM Thank you so much, John - I'm glad you were right! :-)

Connie Marcum Wong September 12, 2018 at 4:29 PM This sounded very true Greg, then after reading what you said to John I see it was. Superbly written! No man wants the torment of having a ring around as a poignant reminder. Excellent! Congratulations on your win! : ) Gregory Richard Barden September 14, 2018 at 8:56 PM Thank you very much, Connie ... it was a very painful and cathartic experience, but I guess that's how wisdom comes, the price paid for growth and maturity. I'm pleased you enjoyed the write - THAT was cathartic as well. ;-) <3 Blessings!

Sandra Haight September 12, 2018 at 3:37 PM A perfect Sonnet for the 'sour grapes' theme, Greg, keeping us in suspense to then expose it so powerfully at the end! Congratulations on your win in the contest. Sandra :) Gregory Richard Barden September 14, 2018 at 8:53 PM Thank you so very much, Sandra ... a rather fitting volta in this instance, with that preferred "shock" value, haha! A shame it came at such a price, but I guess that's life ... live and learn! Blessings, My Friend! (If I ever propose to someone again, I will know the answer ahead of time, lol). ;-) <3

Jesse Rowe September 11, 2018 at 10:18 PM Ouch. Hopefully you didn't really throw the ring into the ocean though. Phenomenal sonnet. Congrats on your top finish. Gregory Richard Barden September 14, 2018 at 8:30 PM Thank you so much, Jesse, I'm pleased you enjoyed my little drama, lol, (I feel a bit like a whiner, but I think I was entitled to a bit of immaturity on that occasion, ha!). We were on the side of a mountain so I couldn't reach the sea, but I hope someone found it and it blessed them somehow, as it was a gorgeous ring. I sold diamonds at the time and had searched for a very special one, with intense blue fluorescence, so in direct light it had a very unusual glow, (something rare that many people don't know about). A shame to chuck it, but it was worthless at that point. A regret? probably. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Janice Canerdy September 11, 2018 at 10:15 PM I can taste the bitterness of those sour grapes in this one, Greg! CONGRATS!! Janice Gregory Richard Barden September 14, 2018 at 8:25 PM Many kind thanks, Janice, I greatly appreciate it, dear friend ... blessings! :-) <3

John Hamilton August 24, 2018 at 8:35 PM I think this is exactly what Mark is looking for, I see another winner, not much of a consolation.....considering the subject matter if true! Gregory Richard Barden August 24, 2018 at 9:33 PM Glad you enjoyed it, John, thank you so much! Yes, it is a true story, sadly, my second soul-mate, (not my ballerina, who is now a doctor), we were together over seven years before she saw the light, lol. Blessings, my friend! :-)