Take Heart, Poets

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gregory Richard Barden.

How to Prime Your Mind for Optimism

time and time again, you search
          for reasons why you're in the lurch
               both ends burnt to write your best
     still, you're always second-guessed

you work to work, invest your soul
          scribe poignant phrases that extol
               the deepest of your musings, grand
     in ways that precious few command

you bring forth imagery that pours
          weave brightly-colored metaphors
               with meter, crisp and consummate
     and rhythm meant to palates, whet

sew rhyme with soft, proficient tone
          with sense that reaches to the bone
               your hours spent on crafting phrase
     of wondrous tomes meant to amaze

so framing substance with each word
          and still, it seems you're rarely heard
               but maybe, for your words' command
     those folks will ne'er quite understand

that each new poem you bring to be
          is birthed from places they can't see
               and not all words contain the power
     to bloom your thoughts into a flower  

your words may blossom in the dark
          where others fail to view their spark
               or in that realm where none but you
     can see the wondrous things you do

so, knit your words to move and lift
          and share the blessings of your gift
               use your diction - spun and swirled
     to paint your feelings on the world

strive to stoke those inward fires
          lit with phrase that piques desires
               if fanned by thirst to live and learn
     then rest assured, your verse will ...

BURN.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Rhoda Tripp

Date: 2/15/2018 11:14:00 PM

OMG, Gregory! Such words of wisdom to fellow poets and done in such a beautiful way with grace and charming words. Sure does beat my way of saying "Make it real"

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/16/2018 2:15:00 AM

But "make it real" is perfect, too, Rhoda ... this is a note to self as much as anything else, and a reminder for me to keep things in the right perspective ... write with joy and honesty, and the rest will just happen! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 2/15/2018 11:02:00 PM

Oh so good, Greg! Aptly said and fired up! <3 K8m

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/16/2018 2:13:00 AM

That's so sweet, Kim, I'm glad you liked this one, Friend! :-) <3

Frederic Parker

Date: 2/15/2018 7:45:00 PM

there is a fine line between writing poetry to express in hopes it touches someone and not understanding what you have written may not touch anyone but still needed to be expressed by the poet, like all artist we sometimes think readers will take something from our work and yet we may not grasp what we have written may not give them pause to think or feel what we felt when writing, I think we are more like miners every once in awhile we find a gem

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/16/2018 2:12:00 AM

Well-said, my good friend, very well-said! Blessings! :-)