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The Color of My Heart

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(Ephesians 2:10)

I know that there's a grand design for life That we're all formed in wonder and intent So nature's palette blooms with color, rife To daub its hues on all that's heaven-sent Each sparrow, leaf or twist of amber grain Is kissed by the Almighty's sacred breath And every breach we cross, is not in vain But ordered so to guide us, birth-to-death Such miracles - we're each His masterpiece The will to choose, so granted from above Conceived in His own likeness to increase And framed with deep capacities for love God makes us each the canvas for His art ... And paints life's precious colors ... on our heart. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Brian's Choice Z, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 3rd Place ~ in the "Hope Old Or New" Poetry Contest, Carolyn Devonshire, Judge & Sponsor. (Ten syllables per line, counted at HowManySyllables.com)

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Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/9/2019 4:21:00 PM

Greg, this is a lovely poem and was a strong contender for second place. I stand by the comments I left earlier on this write and would only add that the separation of subjects and verbs with commas in a couple lines threw me off a bit. Congratulations on your win. There were many wonderful entries to this contest and nearly all of them were difficult to rank. Best wishes, Carolyn

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/9/2019 4:30:00 PM

Thank you, Carolyn, I greatly appreciate the kind comments and critique ... I will say that the commas are intended, (and a nod to classic style), but that I also understand you mentioning it. No worries ... I will keep dreaming of Tanzanite, and keep trying! (I wrote a poem about it recently - "Mavia of the Saracens"). ;-) <3

Rob Carmack

Date: 1/2/2019 8:49:00 PM

You are my newest favorite poet. Congrats and thanks for entering my contest.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/9/2019 4:15:00 PM

Thank you, my friend, how very kind of you to say - I'm so pleased you enjoyed my poem! I can'y believe I'm this far behind on my thank-you's - please forgive me ... I could have sworn I replied before this, but obviously not, (and it's generally a priority). Best wishes and blessings! :-)

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/17/2018 4:50:00 PM

Very lovely descriptions of the colors in nature, Greg. And the couplet at the end has a powerful statement. Congratulations on your win in John's contest. Hugs, Carolyn

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/18/2018 2:11:00 PM

hat's very kind of you, Carolyn, thank you very much - I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Blessings! :-) <3

Wendy Watson

Date: 12/17/2018 2:05:00 PM

I liked this just as much on the second reading,Greg. A beautiful sonnet in every way and congratulations on such a deserving win. Thank you also for your encouraging comments on my sonnet recently. I was tempted to 'go with my heart' for this contest too but changed course. This must be rather a nice 'Christmas gift' to end the year with! Best wishes for a blessed and relaxing Christmas, Greg

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/18/2018 2:11:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Wendy, for this sweet and thoughtful comment ... you are always so kind to me, and I so appreciate it! Blessings to you, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Paul Callus

Date: 12/17/2018 12:31:00 PM

This is beautiful and uplifting, Gregory. I also loved Lin's comment down below! ~ Congratulations on such a fine win! Regards // paul

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/18/2018 2:09:00 PM

That's so kind of you, Paul, and I greatly appreciate your lovely comments, (Lin's, too!) ... blessings to you, My Friend! :-)

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/17/2018 12:13:00 PM

Wow Greg, this is indeed one of your best sonnets ever! I feel as if I have just been in a chapel paying reverence to God. A fave for sure! Congratulations on your wonderful high deserving placement! Happy holidays my friend! xxoo : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/18/2018 2:08:00 PM

Oh, that's so sweet of you, Connie, and I thank you very much for the kindness, my friend! Blessings! :-) <3

John Hamilton

Date: 12/17/2018 11:55:00 AM

Justice has been served! This (lost)poem is one of my faves from you Greg! Any poem about the Creator and our purpose in life is always tops with me. This was THE hardest contest for me to judge! This poem as ANY poem in this top ten could win ANY contest, so congrats on another fine win!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/18/2018 2:07:00 PM

Thank you so much, John, I'm honored to have placed in this contest ... I wish now I had entered "Breath To Breath" as Mark suggests, but this one hadnt garnered much interest to this point, so I feel fine with it. Blessings, Friend! :-)

John Hamilton

Date: 12/13/2018 2:19:00 PM

Oh man Greg, I keep reading this over and over, just beautiful, I've gotta fave this beauty!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/13/2018 2:32:00 PM

Thank you so much, John.

John Hamilton

Date: 12/13/2018 1:06:00 PM

Thanks Greg, this is wonderful, how come you didn't enter it? I was looking for you on the winners list, this would have done well.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/13/2018 2:10:00 PM

I DID enter it ... I dunno what happened. It's been that kind of month. Really was hoping for this one. Not your fault, certainly.

Beata Agustin

Date: 12/8/2018 6:49:00 AM

"God makes us each the canvas for His art ... And paints life's precious colors ... on our heart." True indeed. Thanks for sharing your talent. God bless you.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/9/2018 1:09:00 AM

Oh, you are so sweet, Beata, and far too kind, but I thank you sincerely for your appreciative and humble heart. Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Gerald Greene

Date: 12/8/2018 6:25:00 AM

Very nice sonnet that I found enjoyable. Thanks for posting.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/9/2018 1:08:00 AM

Thank you very kindly, Gerald - I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, my friend! :-)

Lin Lane

Date: 12/8/2018 4:11:00 AM

A well-written depiction of God's grace as our Father. He is the Potter and we are the clay and once our hearts are molded we DO have free will. That same heart can be treacherous, so we must be careful not to cause cracks in our vessels. Hopefully our colors will remain beautiful because he can read what's inside our hearts.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/8/2018 4:28:00 AM

This is such a beautiful and heartfelt comment, Lin, and I thank you so much ... it's clear that you know the heart of God and can hear the "still, small voice" of grace and faithfulness ... He makes the colors in each of us rare and wondrous, and I only hope that I use mine to bring Him glory, as He has brought me life anew. Blessings, Friend. <3