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Span of Life

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Mackinac Bridge in Fog (2) - Global Swim Series

A lifetime seen thru silence at your side,
          From tiny lad to manchild in your shade,
               One sole intent - to earn a nod of pride,
     Tho' I was never worth the effort made.

In years past, I had ears fast to the rail,
          My tympans aching for the waking word
               That might let love or God above prevail,
     But cold admonishments were all I heard.

'Hard work is how a father shows his love',
          How many times I'd heard that empty line,
               But as you left the earth for heav'n above,
     I learned the selfless depth of your design ...

What my self-pitied eyes could never see ...
          The mighty bridge that you had built for me.





~ 1st Place ~  in the "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" Poetry Contest, John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 3rd Place ~  in the "Brian's Choice O, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

( Syllables = ten per line, counted at HowManySyllables.com )

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/21/2020 2:01:00 PM

Your ending tugs at the heart in this exquisite poem Greg! Congratulations on your deserving first placement! xxoo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:57:00 PM

Thank you so much, Connie, I so greatly appreciate it, my friend. Blessings to you - I hope you and yours are safe and sound, Dear One. :o) <3

Aditi Mishra

Date: 5/21/2020 12:05:00 AM

You have written those words with emotions so deep and words so beautiful that it touches anyone reading them to the core. Congratulations on your top placement Greg :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:56:00 PM

That's very kind of you to say, Aditi, and I thank you so much for the wonderful comments. Blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Sam Kauffman

Date: 5/20/2020 10:21:00 PM

There is such depth and power in your words. Many can relate to your experience and hindsight does give us 20/20 sight. Your relationship with your father is so similiar to mine with my mother. Congratulations on your first place win, Greg. Well deserved. Blessings dear friend.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:54:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you for your wonderful comments, Sam, your opinion means a lot to me, and carries such weight and import. Blessings, to you, My Friend! :o)

Susan Jeavons

Date: 5/20/2020 5:42:00 PM

Greg, your poem to your father really touched me. It makes me look at my own father a bit differently. Congrats on the win! Blessings, Susan Maree

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:53:00 PM

I'm so pleased that you found it worthwhile, Susan, and I thank you for the kind words. Blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Janice Canerdy

Date: 5/20/2020 5:39:00 PM

Such a beautiful, moving poem, Greg! I can relate. CONGRATS on your well-deserved win. Janice

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:52:00 PM

That's so very kind of you, Janice, and I thank you so much, my friend. Blessings! :o) <3

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 5/20/2020 4:36:00 PM

Greg so true and so real are your words! I could relate in a way to this poem! Congrats on your well deserved top win!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:52:00 PM

What a wonderful comment, Krish, I'm so pleased you like my poem! Many thanks and blessings to you, My Friend! :o)

John Watt

Date: 5/20/2020 4:20:00 PM

Greg, your poems to your father always hold a very special place in my heart. I too have softened over time in my earlier critical assessment of my father. As a father myself, now I realize the sacrifices he made and didn't wish to talk about. Also I realize his own father did not give him much of a template for relating with his children. Going in my faves, congrats on your top placement my friend ~ John

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:51:00 PM

I think that was fairly common with our generation, John, that our fathers were not given the appropriate tools to be affectionate or even involved. There are still many things I struggle with, but I am proud that I stopped the train, and that my children have three of the biggest hearts I know. I also know my father loved me in his way, and thankful for all he sacrificed for me. Blessings, my friend! :o)

David Drowley

Date: 5/20/2020 3:45:00 PM

'Greg, Very insightful and beautifully done. Congratulations on your well-deserved win! David'

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:49:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, David - blessings! :o)

John Hamilton

Date: 5/20/2020 3:39:00 PM

Loved this G, tugged at the heart strings, God knows we've both had bitter disappointments with our earthly fathers, but with time, we gain a new perspective, and with it acceptance. Congrats on another great write and win!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/23/2020 9:48:00 PM

Oh, thank you so very kindly, John, I'm happy that you liked this one - I wrote it with you in mind, and our connection in this area. Blessings, Bud! :o)