Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Tepid Trill

Who do you think you are?!?



You use your tears like money,

              Each one paying for another excuse ...

       Lies dripping with feigned empathy,

                     And staining honesty like blood.



Yet these briny drops fall to me,

              Pressed between our empty pages ...

       Like a dried rose once given in love, cherished,

                     Now, left to wither ... thorns and all.





~ 1st Place ~  in the "Strand Select C Any Form Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Who Do You Think You Are" Poetry Contest
Caren Krutsinger, Judge & Sponsor.

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Constance La France February 5, 2020 at 8:46 AM Greg, congratulations on your win in the contest with this awesome poem _Constance

Line Gauthier September 28, 2018 at 9:04 PM Congrats on your win, Gregory. Well penned.

Susan Gentry August 30, 2018 at 6:36 AM Congratulations on your win. Sad, tearful and as always, well-written. :) Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:49 AM That's very kind of you, Susan, thanks very much! Blessings! :-) <3

Richard Lamoureux August 29, 2018 at 9:16 AM This is really good, congrats on your win. Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:48 AM Thank you very much, Richard, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, friend! :-)

Gershon Wolf August 28, 2018 at 4:41 PM Tears, the ultimate weapon of a certain breed of feline… Congrats on your win in the contest, my friend. Best wishes, Gershon Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:48 AM Indeed, Gershon, well-said ... and thank you so much, My Friend! :-)

Gershon Wolf August 28, 2018 at 4:40 PM Tears, the ultimate weapon of a certain breed of feline… Congrats on your win in the contest, my friend. Best wishes, Gershon Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:48 AM Indeed, Gershon, well-said ... and thank you so much, My Friend! :-)

Sandra Haight August 27, 2018 at 2:22 PM Oh, so deeply heartfelt, and so sorrowfully admonishing, Greg. Congratulations on your placement. Sandra <3 Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:47 AM That's so sweet of you, Sandra, thank you so much, my friend! :-) <3

Francesca Pappadogiannis August 27, 2018 at 2:13 PM Congratulations Gregory. A tearful one but very real :( Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:46 AM That's very kind of you, Francesca - thank you so much!

Jan Allison August 27, 2018 at 1:16 PM very powerfully penned Greg, many congrats:-) hugs Jan xx Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:45 AM Thank you very much, Jan, I so greatly appreciate it! Blessings! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart August 27, 2018 at 12:28 PM Back with congrats and hugs and kissed <3 xomo! Gregory Richard Barden September 19, 2018 at 6:44 AM Thanks so much, Dear Mo - right back atcha, kiddo! :-) <3

Line Gauthier June 3, 2018 at 8:53 AM Wow, beautiful, Gregory. Congrats on your well deserved win. Gregory Richard Barden June 9, 2018 at 8:50 PM Thank you very much, Line! :-) <3

Elaine George June 3, 2018 at 6:14 AM Very profound! The ending especially. Many congrats on your win Gregory. Top-notch in my book. Elaine Gregory Richard Barden June 9, 2018 at 8:49 PM That's very kind of you, Elaine ... thank you so much, friend! :-) <3

Becca Teagan April 8, 2018 at 8:30 AM Tears can be used to manipulate and they become diluted. Wonderful, well-written poem, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden April 11, 2018 at 12:42 AM Indeed, they can, Becca - you are so right! So glad you liked this one, my friend! Blessings! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart April 8, 2018 at 7:28 AM Potent pithy perfect poem <3 fave XOMO! Gregory Richard Barden April 11, 2018 at 12:42 AM Awww ... thanks, sweet Mo-mo!! <3

Phil Capitano April 8, 2018 at 6:55 AM Great job Greg, you had me with that powerful first line and finished off with an image that stays with you. Excellent! Gregory Richard Barden April 11, 2018 at 12:41 AM Thank you SO much, Phil, I so greatly appreciate the kind words ... you don't stop by my place often, so it is very special when you DO! I find next-to-no time to read others' work as well lately, and I hope to have more soon ... life is just so crazy. Blessings my good friend! :-)