Notes About The Poem

Premiere Contest Winnertell the night to hold me -

I made your shining castle
but I built it ‘pon the sand
and steadfastly tried
to constrain the tide
but the bastions didn’t stand

I worked to bloom your Eden
with the wares to see us thru
but the ripened fruits
grew corrupted roots
and I shared them all with you

     oh tell the night to hold me
     I’m no longer in your arms
     I will brood and swoon
     cradled by the moon
     ever pining for your charms

     yes tell the night to hold me
     June no longer follows May
     'til the moonlight blue
     beams me back to you
     I'll forget about you ... every day

I dreamed for you one family
love to last while we grew old
yet my truth's demise
bred our sad goodbyes
with the wealth of tales I told

I wished your brightest future
lush with jubilance and mirth
still I found recanted
and took for granted
the grand measure of its worth

     oh tell the night to hold me
     I no longer swim your eyes
     now instead I stare
     thru this vacant air
     as I count the countless why's

     yes tell the night to hold me
     ‘til Apollo's aged and gray
     for unless these stars
     are not mine but ours
     I'll forget about you ... every day

I prayed for the knight in armor
who would stand beside you true
though it came to be
that man wasn't ME
and that ripped my heart in two

I promised that you'd be happy
and in ways, that's come to be
wed a man who's good -
loves you as he should
though I wish it had been … me

     oh tell the night to hold me
     it no longer heeds my will
     as I feared the most
     I've become a ghost
     and I’ve no tears left to spill

     yes tell the night to hold me
     I've got nothing more to say
     I’ll remand what's just
     as I’m turned to dust
     and forget about you ... every day

'til I'm swept by winds … away.






~ 1st Place ~  in the "Your Best Poem Ever" Premiere Poetry Contest, John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "N/A The Day Away" Poetry Contest, Lu Loo, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Your Choice (2), Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Poem of the Day" Poetry Contest, Richard Lamoureux, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Last Letter To My Beloved" Poetry Contest, Silent One, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Piece De Resistance" Poetry Contest, The Name Forsakes Me, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Lost Love 2017 Poetry Contest", John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Screwed XX" Poetry Contest, Rob Carmack, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Your Best Poem" Poetry Contest, Chantelle Anne Cooke, Judge & Sponsor.

~ Poem Of The Day ~  on Poetry Soup, featured and awarded on July 7, 2017 - thank you kindly, Admins!

~ Number 15 Top Poem ~  on Poetry Soup's Top 100 All-Time Best Poems List
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Junaid Avatar
May 7, 2025 at 7:50 AM
This poem wrenched my heart out of chest, set it on fire, and then spit on the ashes. Thank you for writing this, and I wish you solace, life, and love. Be Blessed always, Hiba.
Bilverstone Avatar
May 2, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I was moved by this poem, wrenched as appears to be from the depths of a tortured soul. I genuinely love the limerick form you have used. The whole thing works extremely well.
Gifford Avatar
May 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Hello Gregory, this is a masterpiece of beauty and brilliance. Congratulations on all your wins with it. Sending Blessings your way, fellow poet.
Scott Avatar
May 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
OMG! What an incredible piece of poetic artistry! This masterpiece was like musical piece that reached a crescendo that left every listener breathless, speechless, and in awe...and then the gentle descent into sadness. Thank you for sharing!
Onayemi Avatar
October 7, 2023 at 10:46 AM
This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing
Barden Avatar
January 26, 2024 at 10:01 AM
Thank you so much for the kind comment! :o)
Manley Avatar
September 29, 2023 at 11:40 PM
I just started peering through some of the top poems here from the past. And well, so far this is my favorite. Its a wonderful read. Heart felt and deep. I read it aloud to my sweetheart. He agreed. I am going to have to spelunk through the rest of your poems now.
Barden Avatar
January 26, 2024 at 10:01 AM
Thank you so very kindly, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this poem - you made my day! So sorry for the late reply, but I don’t get here much of late - hope to change that soon. Blessings! :o)
Empress Avatar
August 26, 2023 at 8:59 AM
Wow what an impeccable write this is, i am truly in awe. I can see why this is a top poem and is placed 1st by so many especially silent one. I felt so much reading this poignant write. The soul stirring cadence and depth of this is just so very deeply moving and touching. So good to read poems as brilliant as this. Loved this , Ink
Barden Avatar
January 26, 2024 at 9:58 AM
Thank you so kindly, my friend, I’m apologize for the late reply, but I’m not able to come here very often, though I hope to change that sometime soon. I’m so pleased you liked this one! :o)
Heller Avatar
June 18, 2023 at 12:43 AM
This was very moving and conveyed more than just what the words said. Beautiful.
Barden Avatar
June 18, 2023 at 6:14 AM
Thank you so much, Mara, that’s very kind of you!
Ray Avatar
April 7, 2022 at 7:53 PM
slowly this crept line by line thru me washing me with emotions and delving into its inspiration....i walked away fulfilled...thank you
Ray Avatar
May 19, 2023 at 12:02 PM
i came to read again because of the soul within this and i see the magnificence that is love....where in the depth of sorrow there is love in its purest form....forgiveness, forgetting, and moving on....speaks loudly of maturation....and intelligence
Calasibetta Avatar
November 23, 2021 at 3:02 PM
Breathtaking and magnificent, you certainly deserved to be in the #1 spot! Blessings, Paulette
Radhakrishna Avatar
September 15, 2020 at 10:03 AM
What an amazing creative work!! Brilliant!Fave!
Barden Avatar
September 16, 2020 at 8:41 AM
Thank you so very kindly, Krish, I greatly appreciate the wonderful comments, my friend! :o)
Dietrich Avatar
June 24, 2020 at 6:51 PM
I see you entered this top poem of yours in Best Poem ever contest. So awesome, Greg!
Barden Avatar
September 16, 2020 at 8:40 AM
Thank you so very much, Andrea ... much appreciated! :-) <3
Ashley Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 9:38 AM
Gregory, it's a pleasure to return yet again with my hearty congratulations for another win with this exceptional poem. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Barden Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Thank you so very much, Susan, that's very kind of you to say, my friend. Blessings! :o) <3
Mishra Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 1:43 AM
I am glad to congratulate you on another win for this gem Greg. :)
Barden Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 12:32 PM
That's very kind of you, Aditi - thank you so much, my friend! :o) <3
Somadas Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 5:18 AM
Congrats Gregory.. It is really a wonderful poem.. One of the best I read..
Barden Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 12:32 PM
What a wonderful comment, Jenish, thank you so very much! Blessings, my friend! :o)
Johnson Avatar
June 20, 2020 at 9:01 AM
Congrats, Gregory. This is an absolutely amazing write. Blessings, my friend.
Barden Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Many kind thanks, Curtis, I greatly appreciate it, Friend! :o)
Watt Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 4:58 PM
Another big congrats for this awesome write that keeps racking up the wins. Well done, poet!
Barden Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Thank you so kindly, John - that means a lot! :o)
Hamilton Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 3:21 PM
Yeah so here you are again Greg, it's a poem that I never tire of, I wasn't sure if you would enter this one but I'm glad you did. Congrats on a top win in my premium contest!
Barden Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Thank you so much, John, I greatly appreciate the wonderful placement and thoughtful comment ... this is a very special win for me. Blessings, Bro! :o)
Mishra Avatar
June 13, 2020 at 5:55 PM
This is really a gem from your pen which I thankfully got to read because of this contest Greg! Subtle, soothing and intricately written with thoughtful references. Congratulations on your win :)
Barden Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 6:41 AM
Many kind thanks to you as always, Aditi - I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! :o) <3
Agustin Avatar
June 13, 2020 at 6:05 AM
Thanks for sharing this. God bless you.
Barden Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 6:41 AM
Blessings and thanks to you, Beata - much appreciated! <3
Cohen Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 8:46 PM
This one hits on all cylinders. Excellent in so many ways. Congrats, Greg.
Barden Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 6:40 AM
That's very kind of you, Eric, thank you so much, my friend! :o)
Watt Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 6:12 PM
Nice to see all the many honors you've garnered with this gem, Greg, including POTD and a podium win today. It's a really tight lyric with some cool internal rhymes, and that melancholy romantic vibe you are so great at. Bravo!
Barden Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 6:40 AM
Very kind of you to say so, John, and I thank you so much, Brother! :o)
Mcgee Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 4:31 PM
A sad but beautiful tale of love. Congrats again.
Barden Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 6:39 AM
Thanks so much, Jeanne! <3
Gauthier Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 3:32 PM
Wow, congrats on your top win with this powerful poem, Gregory. Superb.
Barden Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 6:39 AM
Thank you so much, Line, that is so appreciated, my friend! :o) <3
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 18, 2020 at 10:42 PM
Wow, I just LOVE the beauty, emotion and flow of this outstanding piece....sending this to my FAVEs where I will cherish it! xx Rhonda
Barden Avatar
June 12, 2020 at 1:46 PM
Thank you so very much, Rhonda, I greatly appreciate the kind words and fave - I'm so pleased you found it worth your while, my friend! Blessings! :o) <3
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