Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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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.

Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2018

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Constance La France Date: 2/5/2020 8:46:00 AM Greg, congratulations on your win in the contest with this awesome poem _Constance Login to Reply

Line Gauthier Date: 9/28/2018 9:04:00 PM Congrats on your win, Gregory. Well penned. Login to Reply

Susan Gentry Date: 8/30/2018 6:36:00 AM Congratulations on your win. Sad, tearful and as always, well-written. :) Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:49:00 AM That's very kind of you, Susan, thanks very much! Blessings! :-) <3

Richard Lamoureux Date: 8/29/2018 9:16:00 AM This is really good, congrats on your win. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:48:00 AM Thank you very much, Richard, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, friend! :-)

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/28/2018 4:41:00 PM Tears, the ultimate weapon of a certain breed of feline… Congrats on your win in the contest, my friend. Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:48:00 AM Indeed, Gershon, well-said ... and thank you so much, My Friend! :-)

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/28/2018 4:40:00 PM Tears, the ultimate weapon of a certain breed of feline… Congrats on your win in the contest, my friend. Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:48:00 AM Indeed, Gershon, well-said ... and thank you so much, My Friend! :-)

Sandra Haight Date: 8/27/2018 2:22:00 PM Oh, so deeply heartfelt, and so sorrowfully admonishing, Greg. Congratulations on your placement. Sandra <3 Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:47:00 AM That's so sweet of you, Sandra, thank you so much, my friend! :-) <3

Francesca Pappadogiannis Date: 8/27/2018 2:13:00 PM Congratulations Gregory. A tearful one but very real :( Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:46:00 AM That's very kind of you, Francesca - thank you so much!

Jan Allison Date: 8/27/2018 1:16:00 PM very powerfully penned Greg, many congrats:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:45:00 AM Thank you very much, Jan, I so greatly appreciate it! Blessings! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 8/27/2018 12:28:00 PM Back with congrats and hugs and kissed <3 xomo! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 9/19/2018 6:44:00 AM Thanks so much, Dear Mo - right back atcha, kiddo! :-) <3

Line Gauthier Date: 6/3/2018 8:53:00 AM Wow, beautiful, Gregory. Congrats on your well deserved win. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/9/2018 8:50:00 PM Thank you very much, Line! :-) <3

Elaine George Date: 6/3/2018 6:14:00 AM Very profound! The ending especially. Many congrats on your win Gregory. Top-notch in my book. Elaine Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 6/9/2018 8:49:00 PM That's very kind of you, Elaine ... thank you so much, friend! :-) <3

Becca Teagan Date: 4/8/2018 8:30:00 AM Tears can be used to manipulate and they become diluted. Wonderful, well-written poem, Gregory. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 4/11/2018 12:42:00 AM Indeed, they can, Becca - you are so right! So glad you liked this one, my friend! Blessings! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 4/8/2018 7:28:00 AM Potent pithy perfect poem <3 fave XOMO! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 4/11/2018 12:42:00 AM Awww ... thanks, sweet Mo-mo!! <3

Phil Capitano Date: 4/8/2018 6:55:00 AM Great job Greg, you had me with that powerful first line and finished off with an image that stays with you. Excellent! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 4/11/2018 12:41:00 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! :-)