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the essence of soft shadows -

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I siphon the twilight ether like sweet smoke from apple wood I draw its magic IN, (as the kiss of a hookah) fill my being with the dewy air - let my blood saturate - course I breathe ... the essence of soft shadows … I feel your press, still you abandoned this realm in tragedy but haunt my footprints with a weighty tread - your substance, my constant counsel tenderly binding me, hushed I yearn ... the essence of soft shadows … I drown in light, ambient suffused with the pulses of life and mortality worn like skin, love ever trembles - emerging from its constraints and errors to shed brutal but boundless purpose I adorn ... the essence of soft shadows … I embrace the heavens absorbing the aphotic expanse with my being earthbound, I am a diaphanous reflection of luster the misty, echoing likeness of the cosmos born of stardust, breathy and elemental - I become ... the essence of soft shadows ... the essence ... ... of YOU. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Completely Your Choice 20, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Epic Ethereal Editor" Poetry Contest, William Kekaula, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 3rd Place ~ in the "2019 Poetry Marathon Mile 13" Poetry Contest, Mark Toney, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 1st Place ~ in "The Essence Of Soft Shadows" Poetry Contest, John Lawless, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Brian's Choice W, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 2nd Place ~ in the "Strand Pick 11, Any Theme, Any Form" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

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Matt Coffelt

Date: 10/7/2020 2:21:00 AM

I was really impressed with your work! I’m definitely a fan. See what you think about some of my poems. Congrats as well

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/8/2020 12:19:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Matt, that's really very kind of you, and I appreciate the comments! I am out straight, but I will stop by your page - blessings, my friend! :o)

Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/5/2020 3:38:00 PM

Gregory, you had me at "I siphon the twilight ether." Great engaging first line with each line bookended with "the essence of soft shadows." This is a superb poem - one that should be shared with a wider audience. Congratulations on your win! Well, well deserved. Blessings dear friend and prayers.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/8/2020 12:18:00 AM

Oh, that's very kind of you, Sam, and your opinion means a lot to me - thank you so much, My Friend! Blessings! :o)

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 10/4/2020 6:40:00 AM

I love how you captured each stanza in it's own feeling that was echoed in the essence of soft shadows...well penned Gregory. congrats on your win.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/4/2020 10:42:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Jeanne, i greatly appreciate the sweet comments. Blessings, Dear Poet! :o) <3

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/25/2019 6:20:00 PM

Beautiful, Gregory. Congrats on your gold medal finish.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/11/2019 12:49:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Line! :-) <3

Sandra Haight

Date: 5/25/2019 5:09:00 PM

Back again, Greg, to congratulate you on another top win for your magnificent write! A poem that keeps on giving! Sandra <3 :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2019 6:01:00 PM

Oh, thank you so much, Sandra, that's very kind, and I so greatly appreciate your sweet comments and friendship! Blessings! :-) <3

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/24/2019 6:55:00 PM

greg, I remember the first time we did the contest on essence of soft shadows. That contest was SO good to both of us. I recall getting a great placement in another contest after that one, and here you are , getting a great number one placement for YOURS again. So deserving. Congratulations.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2019 6:00:00 PM

Me, too, Andrea - that contest spawned a LOT of great poetry, and many multiple winners since then for quite a few of us ... sometimes it's the right idea that lays the groundwork for good writing, and that was certainly a memorable one! Thanks and blessings, Buddy! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 5/24/2019 8:24:00 AM

Congratulations on your top win Greg! Hugs! xomo <3

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2019 5:58:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Mo, I greatly appreciate it, my friend! Blessings! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/24/2019 7:38:00 AM

Your poem is so enchanting Greg. It deserves to be honored with the first placement. Congratulations my friend! : ) xxoo

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2019 5:58:00 PM

That's very kind of you, Connie, I'm so happy you like this one! Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Hilo Poet

Date: 5/24/2019 6:36:00 AM

I admire your beautifully articulative words throughout, for it truly captivates the readers into an hypnotic-like state until its end. I am overwhelmed for this priceless treasure that has been ingrained into my memory. I thank you for your sharing and with my compliments for 1st Place in the Epic Ethereal Editor Contest, Aloha, William Kekaula

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/25/2019 5:57:00 PM

Thank you SO very kindly, William, this really means a lot to me ... this is a special poem for me in many ways, and I'm so pleased that you found it worthy of placement, and humbled to be on a list with such wonderful poets! Blessings! :-)

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/11/2019 9:51:00 PM

Beautiful, Gregory. I love the way you always create artwork with both words and form. Congrats on your win with this gem.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/11/2019 11:04:00 PM

That's very sweet of you, Line, I thank you sincerely for your support and encouragement, which is as steadfast as your friendship. Blessings to you! :-) <3

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/31/2019 4:28:00 PM

Greg, congratulations on yet another top win for this wonderfully written (as always) deep and emotional beauty! I missed this the first time around, but am so happy to read it today! Best wishes as you continue on in the marathon! Sandra :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/11/2019 11:02:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Sandra, that means a lot to me! Blessings to you and yours for a wonderful 2019! :-) <3

Bartholomew Williams

Date: 1/31/2019 9:28:00 AM

Gregory, congratulations on a beautiful poem and your podium showing at this mile marker of the contest!! It has been a while (too long; my apologies) since I have checked in with you. I hope 2019 has been kind to you and your family so far, my friend! Many blessings to all of you. :) Bartholomew

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/11/2019 11:01:00 PM

And the same to you and yours, my good friend ... and a heartfelt thanks to you for the kind comments as always. Blessings! :-) (Drop back anytime!)

Wendy Watson

Date: 1/31/2019 1:27:00 AM

Greg, congratulations on yet another top win for this deeply felt poem. I feel but don't know of course that this describes personal experience but you certainly conveyed the influence of a missed presence with passion.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/11/2019 10:58:00 PM

This is a very sweet comment, Wendy, and I can tell that it's heartfelt and true ... many thanks and blessings to you, my friend! :-) <3

Mark Toney

Date: 1/30/2019 9:58:00 PM

Greg, I love the spiritual depth of your second stanza and the celestial crescendo of the last! This is a Fav for me! Congratulations on your third-place win on mile 13 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon contest! Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 2/11/2019 10:56:00 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Mark, I am so honored by my placement and humbled to be on a list with such wonderful writers ... this was a "project poem", where the theme/title had already been chosen, and I had no idea where to take this one, so the result was a complete surprise. I believe we are tools for something greater, whatever that is, and I was in touch with that on that day. It's fun when that happens! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/19/2018 9:18:00 PM

Well penned, Gregory. Congrats on your well deserved gold medal win.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/29/2018 5:41:00 AM

Thank you very much, Line.

John Hamilton

Date: 5/19/2018 5:29:00 PM

Yeah, what did I say! Congrats again!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/19/2018 7:41:00 PM

Thank you so much, John - many thanks, my friend! :-)

Carrie Richards

Date: 5/19/2018 3:16:00 PM

Another poem of yours that simply proves what a brilliant poet you are! A Number 1 in my book as well !! Congratulations !!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/19/2018 7:40:00 PM

You are much too kind, Carrie, and I thank you so much for your wonderful comments ... it means a lot coming from a poet of your caliber, my friend. Blessings! :-) <3

Susan Gentry

Date: 5/19/2018 1:32:00 PM

Bavk to congratulate you on your #1 win. :) an awesome poem you have written. ...haunt my footsteps with weighty treads. Just one of the lines that compel me to resd more.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/19/2018 7:39:00 PM

I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Susan, and thank you so much for the kind comments! Blessings! :-) <3

Winged Warrior

Date: 5/19/2018 3:37:00 AM

Congrats!!! Gregory...top notch-top win my friend...love & light...^WW^

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/19/2018 7:38:00 PM

Very kind of you, ^WW^ - thank you so much, friend! :-)

John Lawless

Date: 5/18/2018 6:08:00 PM

Loved this Gregory....beautiful imagery, easy, smooth flow, great presentation, and a close your eyes and "picture that" moment at the end. Well Done...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/19/2018 7:37:00 PM

Thank you SO much, John, this made my week, (and a rough week, at that) ... I am so honored and humbled to be on a list with such marvelous poets. Blessings and best wishes! :-)

John Hamilton

Date: 5/15/2018 9:55:00 AM

Diaphanous reflection of luster that's........ ...ummm really good, every turn of the phrase is golden, do I have to say it? yeah...looks like a winner!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2018 7:09:00 PM

You love unusual imagery like I do, John, and it is one of your best tools as well, (besides, you are the Lyric Master!) ... I was hoping you would read this one, as I had a feeling you'd like it. Blessings and many thanks, Brother! :-)

Susan Gentry

Date: 5/15/2018 2:43:00 AM

A lovely take on the theme. Beautiful imagery.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/15/2018 7:05:00 PM

Thank you so much, Susan! :-) <3